Huijsen accepts the Bernabéu’s demands: “The best and biggest club in the world”
Dean Huijsen addressed the whistles heard during Real Madrid’s 2–1 win over Inter and discussed José Mourinho’s demands.
Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2–1 victory over Inter, but the final score did not entirely satisfy the Santiago Bernabéu crowd. Dean Huijsen did not complain about the whistles or attempt to lecture the supporters. The defender accepted them as part of the extraordinary standards attached to representing Real Madrid.
THREE POINTS WITHOUT COMPLETE CONTROL
Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde punished two costly Inter mistakes to establish a two-goal advantage. Carlos Augusto reduced the deficit in the second half, while Thibaut Courtois produced several important saves as the Italian side pushed for an equaliser.
Madrid secured the result, although they were unable to control every phase of the contest. Inter enjoyed long periods on the ball and continued to threaten late in the game. Some supporters expressed their frustration during the match, with whistles also heard as Vinícius Júnior was substituted.
HUIJSEN UNDERSTANDS THE BERNABÉU
“This is what it means to play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, the biggest club,” Huijsen said after the final whistle.
The centre-back argued that Madrid had created enough opportunities to settle the match much earlier. In his view, a third goal would have closed the contest and prevented the nervous finish. He nevertheless refused to use the missed chances as an excuse for the team’s loss of control.
That response showed maturity. Huijsen treated the crowd’s reaction as a demand for improvement rather than an attack on the players. He also backed up his words with a busy defensive performance: Managing Madrid’s data analysis credited him with a match-high 17 defensive actions.
MOURINHO CONTINUES TO PUSH HIM
Huijsen also discussed his work with José Mourinho, explaining that the Portuguese coach demands a great deal from him while helping him understand how to make better use of his qualities.
The message extends beyond playing out from defence. Mourinho wants his centre-backs to win duels, remain aggressive and compete through every moment of the game. Huijsen welcomes that pressure and recognises that five encouraging appearances cannot define an entire season.
Real Madrid collected three important points against a dangerous opponent, but the Bernabéu still demanded more. Huijsen’s answer captured the culture of the club: winning matters above everything else, yet victory never removes the responsibility to improve.
