Huijsen talks Mourinho, Mbappe, Courtois, Konate after Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan: ‘We could have won 5-0 or 6-1’

Dean Huijsen, the Real Madrid defender, has shared his thoughts on Jose Mourinho's expectations following their 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan. The 21-year-old has been a key player in Madrid's defense this season, and Huijsen recognizes that maintaining this level of performance throughout the campaign is crucial. He credits Mourinho for pushing him to reach his full potential, stating that the manager's demands are helping him improve.

While acknowledging his importance to the team, Huijsen emphasizes the need to temper his early-season form. "We have to keep it up. Five matches are nothing; we need to have a good season as a whole," he said. Huijsen also expressed his satisfaction with the victory over Inter Milan but felt Madrid could have secured a more dominant win.

"They’re a great team and have reached the Champions League final in each of the last two years. We have to keep it up; it’s the three points that count," he noted. "I think we played a good match. If we’d managed to make it 3–0, it would have been over there and then."

Huijsen highlighted Real Madrid's missed chances during the match, particularly with Thibaut Courtois' performance. "It was a mad match, but if we’d made it 3–0… I think we had one at the end of the first half and quite a few in the second. If we’d managed to score them, we could have won 5–0 or 6–1," he observed. He also praised Kylian Mbappe's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, stating that he believes the young French forward has a very good chance of achieving this accolade.

Regarding Ibrahima Konate, Huijsen praised his center-back partner, describing him as "a force to be reckoned with" and mentioning his defensive prowess and ball control. "He’s strong, tall and doesn’t shy away from a challenge. We get on well together," Huijsen concluded.