Aguirre brushes off Mourinho’s jab as Valencia eye Copa del Rey

Real Madrid opened the match at Mestalla with a goal that followed Pablo Maffeo’s challenge on Kylian Mbappe, a decision Aguirre later argued should not have been a foul nor a red card.

Mourinho’s assessment and Aguirre’s response

The Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho later suggested that Real Madrid possessed a considerably stronger squad after their 3-0 victory at Mestalla.

Mourinho told Valencia boss Javier Aguirre after the match not to be disappointed because his players were better.

Aguirre defended his players ahead of Valencia’s Copa del Rey tie with Tavernes de la Valldigna, saying the comments were not taken personally in the dressing room.

He clarified that he understood Mourinho’s remark as a footballing observation rather than a personal criticism, quoting, “He didn’t say ‘much better’. He told me to stay calm because his players were better.”

Aguirre added that he believes he has very good players, otherwise he would not be in his role.

Real Madrid secures win at Mestalla against Valencia

He insisted the exchange created no tension among his squad and that there was no grudge against Mourinho.

Aguirre said nobody approached him about the comments, that he might have organised a team‑building exercise, and that some players probably did not even notice, adding the team is doing well.

Tunnel incident and penalty dispute

The half‑time tunnel incident involving sporting director Braulio Vazquez was recorded in the referee’s report, though it did not mention any Real Madrid player.

Aguirre said he spoke to Vazquez, who voiced his disagreement, but Aguirre had no further knowledge of the matter.

He noted it is usual for many people to be present and that, as far as he knows, nothing happened; he has not seen the report.

Aguirre disagreed with the referee’s decision to award Real Madrid a penalty, stating that Vazquez told him he was unhappy and that he believes him.

Concluding, Aguirre said Real Madrid were the better side and that neither luck nor the referee can make a team better.