'This guy is incredible': Mourinho's big praise for Mbappé after hat-trick against Real Sociedad

Madrid: Jose Mourinho hailed Kylian Mbappe as "incredible" after the French forward's hat-trick against Real Sociedad, while praising Real Madrid's second-half response and defending the Santiago Bernabeu supporters' right to whistle Vinicius Junior.

Speaking after Real Madrid's 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, Mourinho admitted his side struggled in the opening half but said they regained control after making adjustments at the break.

"I highlight that La Real are a very good team, they created a lot of difficulties for us. In these games I would like to have the hydration break to be able to speak after 25 minutes, they caught us by surprise. They didn't create too much danger, but it was difficult to put pressure on them. Until we changed in the second half we were not calm. But we kept calm and in the second half the team was very strong."

Mbappe was the standout performer, scoring his first three goals of the season. Mourinho praised the France international's ability to influence the game even when Madrid are under pressure.

"What Mbappé has done is crazy. A lot of quality. Goalscoring ability, creation, when the team is in difficulty he goes down and connects with the rest so that the team gains meters and builds danger. He played an incredible game. The team has always been a team. It's a great match, with a lot of individual performances of great quality, the defenders very dominant, the machines in midfield, those up front… We could have scored more goals, but with what La Real have done it must be frustrating to go home conceding four goals."

Mourinho, who coached Cristiano Ronaldo during his first spell at Real Madrid, was also asked about comparisons between the Portuguese great and Mbappe.

"I don't like to compare players, but this guy is incredible. I'm very happy that he made history in the World Cup because there are 25 world champion players, but only one is for the eternity of football, the one with the most goals, has made that history. He is very hungry to make history with Real Madrid. I saw a very good team, apart from Kylian, a very good team, with the difficulties of the first half, and we knew how to be a team: wait, be calm, compact… We managed to have the ball and in the second half one more gear. I liked the second half a lot."

Mourinho defends Vinicius after Bernabeu whistles

Mourinho also addressed the whistles directed at Vinicius during the game. The Brazilian responded by scoring and assisting Mbappe after the break.

"We already know him and thanks to that, the demand is for history. Madrid have great players, great teams, It's one thing to be a fan, and another thing to be a player. I am not asking for the whistles to be replaced by applause. They always have some justice, people were frustrated, a couple of whistles don't hurt anyone, they help to grow too. There are going to be games that are going to be won with difficulty, in Spain there are good players, good teams, they are not afraid to play against good teams, in other countries you don't play, you defend. La Real played to win."

The Portuguese coach was also asked why he substituted Vinicius in the 84th minute, shortly after the forward had made his mark on the game.

"We speak the same language, joking is easier. I would never have taken Vini off without the goal, without the positive feeling. I changed him because he needs to rest a bit, we have another game in three days. I thought it would be good to take him off after the goal. It was good to take it out to feel the affection of the people."