It’s better not to pull off remontadas – Mourinho

Abdullateef Fowewe

José Mourinho has spoken on Real Madrid’s recent habit of staging dramatic comebacks, insisting that while the ability to recover shows strength, he would rather his side never fall behind in the first place.

Speaking after another late turnaround, the Portuguese coach said, “Pulling off remontadas? It’s better not to pull off remontadas. There’s some positive things about that: never giving up, mental strength, motivation, respecting the Real Madrid badge, squad unity, friendship. But it has a negative side: it means you were losing. And I’d rather not be losing.”

The comments come as Real Madrid continue to show a remarkable capacity for late drama under Mourinho.

The most recent example was a hard-fought Champions League victory away at AEK Athens, sealed in added time, which followed other high-stakes recoveries earlier in the season.

Mourinho, who returned to the Bernabéu dugout and has guided the team through a series of tight contests, acknowledged the positive traits these fights reveal resilience, unity and pride in the club’s badge.

Yet he made clear his preference for control and early dominance over relying on last-gasp heroics.