Mourinho outlines Real Madrid squad roles ahead of AEK Athens Champions League match

Real Madrid are scheduled to play AEK Athens in a Champions League match on November 4, 2026, with kickoff set for 19:45. Jose Mourinho addressed the media ahead of the fixture to discuss team selection and the challenges posed by the Greek champions at their home stadium.

Mourinho identified AEK as the champion of Greece and described them as very strong at their home ground. He noted that Real Madrid have won only one European match in Athens historically, with that sole victory occurring last year. This limited success in the Greek capital provides context for the difficulty of the upcoming fixture.

The manager provided specific details regarding player positioning and versatility within his squad. He described Valverde as the team captain who is capable of playing in central positions or as a left winger. Mourinho also stated that Diomande and Endrick can operate on both wings, while Vinicius adapts better when deployed on the left side.

Reflecting on recent form, Mourinho mentioned that Real Madrid recently secured a win against Roma in a match that initially appeared lost. Looking toward future objectives, he stated that winning the Champions League with Real Madrid would mark his third title in the competition with three different teams. He added that the club needs three seasons to reach perfection.

Before discussing tactical matters, Mourinho expressed his condolences regarding the death of De Miguel. He characterized the passing as a sad moment for football, acknowledging the loss prior to outlining his plans for the match in Athens.