Jose Mourinho was keen not to criticise his Real Madrid players after their first defeat of the season, but he still sent a message.
Madrid lost 1-0 away at Real Betis to give Mourinho his first loss in his second tenure and potentially hand an early advantage to Barcelona.
Troy Parrot’s goal settled the match and Mourinho suggested that Betis were better at the intangible off the ball aspects of the match.
Mourinho explains Betis 1-0 Madrid
“Betis players are smarter than Real Madrid players, who are more honest,” he said.
“In the first play of the game, there was a clear yellow card for a player who fouled Valverde, then another, but we recovered quickly.
“They are smarter and, obviously, with the support of fantastic fans, they achieve these kinds of things.
“I don’t know how Arda finished the first half with a yellow card… I had to take him off because he was in a dangerous situation.”
Madrid had a late chance to equalise but couldn’t convert a penalty through Kylian Mbappe.
Meanwhile, Carlos Espi scored but it was ruled out by VAR.
The new striker looked more lively that Mbappe pre-match, and was compared favourably by a number of pundits.
Mbappe blamed for Madrid’s first loss of the season
“Real Madrid lost the game because their striker had four chances and didn’t convert them,” Jesus Gallego said.
“Espi comes out with more purpose and the feeling that every play is decisive, unlike Mbappe or Vinicius.
“It’s not normal for a striker like Mbappe to miss the goals he missed today. The analysis of the match boils down to a lack of finishing.
“Real Madrid were superior to Betis, especially in the first half.
“Vinicius only gets going when it’s urgent. Cristiano Ronaldo was ready to score from the first minute, I don’t see that with Vinicius and Mbappe.
“They miss a chance and laugh, thinking it’s no big deal, but it is, and it was today.
“Since the team isn’t playing at its best, you have to take advantage of every opportunity you get. The team showed a good overall performance, but they’re going home with a defeat.”
Giving his take on Espi, Mourinho added: “If he has ten minutes and scores a fantastic goal, which may or may not be offside, he’s done his job well.
“He has great potential and will always improve, because he’s also humble, hardworking, and eager to learn. I couldn’t be happier with the lad.”
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