José Mourinho marked his return to Real Madrid as head coach with a dramatic late victory over Espanyol on his first game back in charge after more than a decade away. A 21-year-old player recently signed from Levante scored in the 90th minute to secure the win.
Mourinho said he is calmer now than in his previous spell at the club. When the goal came, he remained composed on the bench, clenching his fists and walking down the touchline behind the substitutes as they rushed to celebrate rather than sprinting to join them himself.
The coach pulled aside captain Fede Valverde during the celebrations, though the substance of their exchange was not disclosed. The victory came despite Mourinho fielding star players including Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham, as well as recent high-profile signing Yan Diomande.
