Mourinho Gets Sprinkler Gift Before Real Madrid vs Inter

José Mourinho was handed a garden sprinkler during his Valdebebas press conference, a pointed reminder of one of his most famous Champions League celebrations as Real Madrid prepare to face Inter.

The surprise gift recalled Mourinho’s 2010 semi-final triumph with Inter over Barcelona. After winning 3-1 in the first leg at San Siro, Inter lost 1-0 at Camp Nou but held on with 10 men to go through 3-2 on aggregate, ending Pep Guardiola’s attempt to retain the European Cup.

Mourinho charged on to the pitch at full time to celebrate with his players and Inter’s travelling fans. Camp Nou staff activated the sprinklers in an effort to disrupt the scenes, only for the image of Mourinho celebrating in the water to become an enduring moment from that tie.

Madrid want a response against Inter

Real go into their Champions League opener after a damaging domestic defeat to Real Betis, and Mourinho has demanded that strong performances now produce results.

“I want to win tomorrow,” he said. “I can say I want us to play well, but I do not want us to play as we did against Real Betis and then lose.”

The meeting with his former club arrives with Madrid seeking to rebuild their European standing after failing to make the competition’s later rounds in each of the past two seasons. Mourinho has returned with the aim of delivering major trophies, but insisted his immediate focus is only Inter.

Madrid are entering an eight-match phase in which qualification is the target. “The objective is to qualify,” Mourinho said, “but I want to concentrate on this one match.”