Jose Mourinho defends Vinicius Junior amid ongoing provocation concerns

Jose Mourinho has come to the defence of Vinicius Junior, saying the Real Madrid forward is being unfairly targeted by opponents and fans, while acknowledging that the Brazilian can improve how he reacts to provocation. Vinicius was involved in several incidents with opposing players and supporters during Real Madrid's opening La Liga match against Espanyol on Saturday.

With Madrid preparing to host Real Sociedad on Wednesday, Mourinho said there were two aspects to the issue — Vinicius' response to fans and his reactions during matches. “There is on the field and off the field,” Mourinho said. “The reaction to fans and insults, obviously if they are not racist or homophobic insults, but the typical insults by fans, then I think he can control it better. His relationship with the opposing fans, I think he can do better.”

However, Mourinho believes responsibility also lies with referees when Vinicius is repeatedly fouled or provoked. “In the game, when it comes to the fouls and the accumulation of frustration that he feels, that's the responsibility of the referees, or the judges, as I like to call them, in terms of their responsibility to protect the players and the game,” Mourinho said.

Mourinho says Vinicius is being treated differently

The Portuguese coach, back at Real Madrid for a second spell after managing the club from 2010 to 2013, said Vinicius' relationship with opposing supporters is something that can be addressed. Mourinho said it was harder to influence what happens during matches, but his interactions with fans are “something that we can work on.” He also argued that the treatment Vinicius receives from opponents has become increasingly obvious.

“It's gone into a spiral in which the opponents know what they can do and what they can't do,” he said. “If the players can provoke and pressure Vini, either physically or with words, if the yellow card is only shown after 10 fouls, if there can be violence, then it's a type of treatment that I don't like.”

Asked about criticism he received last year after commenting on Vinicius while Benfica coach, Mourinho said: “When I was Benfica's coach, I was only interested about Benfica.”

‘I’m calmer’: Mourinho admits his own evolution

Mourinho acknowledged that he might have struggled to stay on the pitch in some of the situations Vinicius encounters. The coach also pointed to his own evolution, saying his famously fiery personality has mellowed with age. “I'm think I'm calmer,” Mourinho said. “And it's not just now, I've been like that over the last few years. I feel calmer, with more control of my emotions.”