Overview
- Mourinho held a press conference on Wednesday asking supporters not to give him a special reception and to focus their support on the players and the club’s mentality.
- The match against Real Sociedad is the rescheduled Jornada 1 fixture that was delayed after both clubs had players in the World Cup final.
- He said the squad is 'closed' in his mind but acknowledged the transfer window remains open and that moves could still occur before it shuts.
- Mourinho confirmed seven absences for the game — Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Raúl Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick and Aurélien Tchouaméni — which will shape his selection and tactics.
- Public reaction at the Bernabéu is mixed, Ultras Sur will not be present, and the coach’s measured plea is meant to defuse tensions dating back to his acrimonious 2013 exit.