Mourinho: Real Madrid must balance high pressing with a lower defensive approach

Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid must be capable of defending both high up the pitch and in deeper positions, although he admits that a low block is not his preferred style.

The Real Madrid manager was asked whether winning the ball in the opposition half through an aggressive press should be a defining feature of his team, and how such an approach could be maintained for 90 minutes.

“I do not think it is possible to press high for 90 minutes. I don’t think so,” Mourinho said. “It is not our style, and it is not the style of many teams either.

“We have to know how to play that way when we are positioned high up the pitch. When we are deeper, we need to know how to play differently. To become a more complete defensive team, we have to be able to do both.”

Mourinho acknowledged that a deeper defensive setup may suit certain players and teams better, but said he did not want his tactical preferences to conflict with the qualities within his squad.

“I do not like a low block, but there are player profiles and teams for whom it is more suitable,” he said. “I do not want there to be a contradiction between what I like and the qualities of my players.

“I try to find what will define us as a team. For me, that means being able to press high, win the ball high up the pitch and punish the opposition within three or four seconds during the transition.”

The Portuguese manager also warned against allowing the team's ability to counter-attack to dictate its entire defensive strategy.

“An opponent may have certain qualities, but I do not want us to think: ‘Okay, we are good at counter-attacking and we have players who can punish the opposition with a quick attack, so let’s sit in a low block,’” Mourinho said.

“I do not want that kind of thinking. We need to find a balance.”

Real Madrid recorded a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend.