AEK Athens manager praises Jose Mourinho after 2-3 loss to Real Madrid: ‘I have great admiration for him’

AEK Athens coach Marko Nikolic commended Jose Mourinho following his team's narrow 3-2 Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Despite the defeat, Nikolic expressed admiration for the Real Madrid manager and emphasized his players' pride in their performance. In his post-match press conference, Nikolic highlighted Mourinho's track record of success across various leagues and cultures.

The AEK Athens coach praised his team's attacking approach throughout the match, noting that they aimed to win and did not merely want to manage the game or make a good impression. Nikolic acknowledged their missed opportunity in a four-on-two situation, which ultimately led to Federico Valverde's late winning goal. The manager urged his team to build upon their performance against Real Madrid, emphasizing their commitment and competitive spirit as key aspects of the club's identity.

Despite the result, Nikolic urged his players not to dwell on the loss and expressed pride in their effort, stating that they are fighters and competitive.