Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella has rejected suggestions that the team are not working hard enough, insisting: “I think we run a lot.”
The comments come after a difficult start to Mourinho’s return, with Real Madrid fourth in LaLiga and already six points behind leaders and rivals Barcelona.
Cucurella, 28, joined the club in the summer and has dismissed concerns about the side’s work rate during their challenging opening to the campaign. The left-back is currently on international duty with Spain.
He believes criticism of Real Madrid’s physical effort has been influenced by their recent defeats by Real Betis and Atletico Madrid.
Speaking to Cadena SER, Cucurella responded to statistics indicating that Real Madrid are among the teams to have covered the fewest kilometres in the league.
“The truth is it surprised me, because if it was about having long spells of possession, I could maybe say no, but running... I think we run a lot,” he said.
“If we had won every game, there would be no talk about us running too little. They would say we run very little, but are very effective, or some other headline.”