The 'Special One's' Unexpected Praise
It's rare for Jose Mourinho to lavish praise on an opposition player, particularly during a competitive fixture, even if it's a pre-season friendly. The master tactician is known for his laser-sharp, often critical, assessments.
However, following a hard-fought 2-2 draw at the Woerthersee Stadion, Mourinho couldn't hide his admiration for Moise Kean. He singled out the Italian international's dominant display as a pivotal factor in the game's dynamic.
A Physical Mismatch
Kean, who arrived at the Viola from Juventus, proved a relentless menace for a rotated Real Madrid backline. His efforts were rewarded when he got on the scoresheet, playing a key role in helping Fiorentina claw back a two-goal deficit.
Mourinho openly admitted his young defenders struggled to contain the striker's power. He noted that while his prospects performed well technically, they were simply overwhelmed by the 26-year-old forward's peak physical condition, leading to his now-famous "monster" assessment.
Mourinho's Pre-Season Conundrum
After the final whistle, José Mourinho delivered a detailed tactical review of his team's display, highlighting three different stages of the match based on the players’ energy levels.
The Portuguese manager described seeing “three versions” of Madrid throughout the game: a fresh side, a tired side, and an exhausted side. According to Mourinho, the team started strongly, producing a high-quality first half where they created enough chances to build a bigger advantage.
"I saw a Madrid with three faces: fresh, tired and super tired," Mourinho explained. "The fresh team played very well; 2-1 at the break is tight, a first half of great quality that could easily have been three or four nil."
However, the momentum shifted after the break as the match became more physical against an Italian side known for its intensity and strength. Mourinho admitted that Madrid struggled more during this phase, especially when dealing with Moise Kean’s physical presence.
Kean’s Physicality Creates Problems for Madrid’s Young Defenders
Kean’s influence became increasingly noticeable as the game progressed, with the striker’s strength and attacking presence causing difficulties for Madrid’s younger defenders.
Mourinho highlighted the challenge faced by academy graduates Joan and Mario, praising their performances while acknowledging that they are still developing physically at the highest level.
"The game became much more physical, they put us under pressure," Mourinho said. "Playing inside the box with two kids like Joan and Mario, who had a great game, but physically they're not yet at the level to play against a monster like Kean."
The strong showing against one of Europe’s biggest clubs further underlined Kean’s resurgence and could increase interest from clubs monitoring his situation.
Kean’s Revival Sparks Transfer Interest
Kean’s impressive display is expected to boost his reputation ahead of the new season, with several clubs continuing to track the striker’s future. The forward has been linked with a possible departure from Fiorentina, with Como among the teams reportedly keeping an eye on his availability as they look to strengthen their attacking options. Mourinho’s praise also represents a major confidence boost for Kean, who has worked to rebuild his form following a challenging final period at Juventus.
Madrid Await Return of Key Stars Ahead of New Season
While Mourinho was pleased with aspects of Madrid’s performance, the manager remains eager to have his full squad available before the new La Liga campaign begins. The team has faced a difficult pre-season schedule due to extended breaks following international commitments, leaving Mourinho with limited time to prepare with his complete squad.
However, reinforcements are on the way, with Vini Jr, Brahim, and Bernardo expected to return to training on Monday after their extended holidays. Mourinho admitted that the lack of preparation time with the full squad remains a concern, saying: "I’m concerned about not having everyone, and I would like to have three weeks of work with the others. It’s not possible."
With key players returning and the season approaching, Madrid will look to build momentum and sharpen their preparations for the challenges ahead.
