Mourinho explains Bernabeu whistles after Real win

Jose Mourinho said Real Madrid responded with composure after sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd whistled the team during a difficult first half against Real Sociedad, before a much sharper display after the break carried the hosts to a 4-1 win.

A testing first half at the Bernabeu

The match was Mourinho’s first at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid head coach, and it did not begin in entirely comfortable fashion. Real were level at the interval, with the home support unhappy at what they were watching and making their frustration clear from the stands.

Speaking afterwards, Mourinho admitted the opening period had been difficult. He said Real Sociedad were well organised and that his side needed the interval to make adjustments. He also stressed that he liked the way his players remained calm when the game became complicated.

That patience paid off after the restart. Real Madrid found another gear in the second half and scored three more times to take control of the contest.

Mbappe decisive as Real pull away

Kylian Mbappe provided the decisive attacking spark, scoring a hat-trick as Real Madrid turned a tense evening into a convincing result. Jude Bellingham played a key role in the second-half improvement, first setting up Mbappe with a through ball and then laying the ball on for Vinicius. Mbappe later completed his treble from a pass by the Brazilian.

The final scoreline gave Real a second win of the league season, but Mourinho’s post-match comments focused as much on the team’s mentality as on the attacking quality that eventually settled the game.

Mourinho’s view on the whistles

Asked directly about the supporters’ reaction, Mourinho said the atmosphere at the Bernabeu is part of the reality of managing and playing for Real Madrid. He suggested that the demands of the crowd reflect the history of the club and the standards attached to it.

In his view, supporters are entitled to express emotion because they expect a team that dominates opponents. Mourinho added that players and coaches must instead remain balanced and composed, especially when a match becomes uncomfortable.

Mourinho’s message was that whistles and applause both carry a degree of fairness, and that frustration from the stands can also help a team grow.

He also argued that the crowd wants to see a Real Madrid side that overwhelms opponents, but that not every game will unfold so smoothly. The key, he said, is understanding that some victories will require patience and control rather than panic.

What comes next

Mourinho said the second-half response showed the team is developing mentally and emotionally. He believes Real Madrid will produce many emphatic wins, but he also underlined the importance of dealing properly with more awkward matches like this one.

Real Madrid’s next game is against Malaga, with the fixture scheduled for Sunday 30 August at 17:00.