CORNERFLICK
Real Madrid have won eight matches in a row after a 3-0 victory at Valencia, with José Mourinho saying the team's biggest change has been in their collective work.
What the run has changed
The win at Mestalla was Madrid's eighth straight result in all competitions. Since the Madrid derby defeat to Atlético, Mourinho's side have put together eight wins, 24 goals and three clean sheets, with an average of three goals per game.
The Portuguese coach said the improvement has come from the players' response as a group as well as individually. He pointed to one moment from the Valencia match as a sign of that shift, when Arda Güler lost possession and Kylian Mbappé sprinted back to cover the space on Madrid's right side.
"Credit for this progress belongs to the players. They have responded brilliantly, both individually and as a team. We have made huge progress and the players are very united and cohesive."
Mourinho keeps the pressure on
Mourinho said he does not want the recent form to turn into overconfidence. After the eighth straight win, he said victories should be normal at a club like Real Madrid, not a reason for extra celebration.
Madrid go into the international break with signs of the team Mourinho wants becoming more visible on the pitch. Their improvement is now showing in and out of possession.