"Three years. Three seasons." That was José Mourinho's answer when asked how long Real Madrid need to reach perfection, and he used the eve of AEK Athens FC vs Real Madrid to keep the focus on the present. Madrid have won their first three matches in the Champions League league phase, but Mourinho still wants points, not chatter about the round of 16.

Mourinho's demand for points

Madrid are one of only five teams with a 100% winning record in the Champions League this season. They have nine points from three matches and sit 4th in the league phase table, which is a strong position by any normal standard. Mourinho's line was still more guarded than celebratory.

He said Madrid are "close to qualifying through the playoffs but far from the round of 16" and stressed that they must be serious against a strong opponent in their stadium. He also pointed to Madrid's record in Athens, where they have won only one of eight European matches, as a reason to stay sharp.

That caution fits the rest of his comments. Speaking to Europa Press, Mourinho rejected the idea that the Roma comeback was a turning point in terms of how the team plays. He said the emotional lift was real, but the bigger change is still the accumulation of training sessions and matches.

Camavinga's reset under Mourinho

Eduardo Camavinga offered the more personal note in the build-up. The midfielder said last summer was hard because he had never had a moment like that in his career, but added: "I have thought a lot and now I am a new man."

He also said he has more discipline than before to repay the trust the club has given him. Camavinga has only one Champions League appearance this season, so the reset is about mindset and preparation as much as minutes on the pitch.

Mourinho's public backing clearly matters there. Camavinga said that when he first spoke to the coach, Mourinho told him he wanted him and that he was going to be important. That is not a small detail for a player trying to rebuild confidence after a difficult summer.

Federico Valverde's role adds another layer to the same squad picture. Mourinho said the captain can play at left-back if necessary, even though the team was built with him as a midfielder. Valverde has already made three Champions League appearances this season, which shows how much flexibility Mourinho is asking for while the team is still being shaped.

The cleanest read is that Madrid are winning and improving, but Mourinho is refusing to pretend they have arrived. A perfect start does not change the fact that the trip to Athens still carries pressure, and the coach's message is that the points come before the talk.

The match against AEK Athens FC comes on 4 November, and Madrid's league phase position will still be there after it. What changes first is whether they keep the 100% record intact.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →