Mourinho Praises Moroccan Ibrahim Diaz's Performance
Moroccan international Ibrahim Diaz received high praise from Portuguese coach José Mourinho after his impressive performance in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Italian side Inter Milan at the start of their UEFA Champions League campaign.
Mourinho chose to include Diaz in the starting lineup, where the Moroccan player stood out with an exceptional performance that went beyond just his attacking movements, also encompassing key tactical roles that helped reduce the threat from the Italian team.
The Portuguese coach noted after the match the role Diaz played alongside Brazilian Vinícius Júnior against the Italian defense, explaining that the duo contributed to closing down spaces in the middle and encouraged Real Madrid players to press on the flanks.
Mourinho said: “Vinícius and Ibrahim worked excellently to close down the middle, allowing the full-backs to press from the outside.”
Diaz's contribution was not limited to tactical aspects; he played a direct role in key moments of the match, pressing Inter's defense and regaining possession near the penalty area, setting up Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, who capitalized on it to score the opening goal for Real Madrid in the 14th minute.
The Moroccan was close to scoring before the end of the first half, unleashing a powerful shot that hit the post in stoppage time, reflecting his attacking presence and continuous movements in the final third.
Diaz continued to trouble Inter's defense in the second half, creating another dangerous opportunity in the 58th minute with a well-placed cross, before providing another pass to Mbappé in the 66th minute.
This performance reaffirms Ibrahim Diaz's place among Mourinho's options, especially in matches that require tactical discipline and offensive effectiveness, as the Moroccan international demonstrated his ability to fulfill the required tasks at various stages of the game.
Real Madrid's victory over Inter Milan marks a successful start for the royal team in European competition, while the match provided another opportunity for Ibrahim Diaz to establish himself as one of the names Mourinho relies on in crucial fixtures.
