Jose Mourinho: 'Real Madrid's goal is not winning the Champions League' - focus is on qualification

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has called for total focus as his side prepares to host Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League. Despite riding a wave of three consecutive victories across all competitions, the manager has warned his squad against taking the German side lightly, even after their recent heavy defeat to Bayern Munich.

Mourinho emphasized that Leipzig remains a dangerous opponent that has already beaten PSV and is motivated to secure points. Speaking at Real Madrid City, he rejected the notion that the match would be an easy test for the home side.

Leipzig is not the team that lost so badly in Munich. It’s the team that beat PSV, that has three points, and that wants to qualify. We’ve won three matches in a short span and played very well in the last one. Tomorrow, we need to play and win. Jose Mourinho

When asked about the team's chances of winning the entire competition, Mourinho dismissed the suggestion as premature. He clarified that the club's immediate objective is simply to secure a place in the knockout stages. He noted that the team aims to finish in the top eight to avoid the potentially stressful play-off round, which they were forced to play last season.

Currently sitting ninth in the league table with six points from wins over Inter Milan and AS Roma, Real Madrid understands the gravity of the upcoming match. Following the Leipzig encounter, the team will turn its attention to a major domestic challenge: the El Clasico duel against Barcelona.