Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho described the death of Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel after a heavy on-pitch collision as “shocking”, as the Spanish club held a minute’s silence in his memory.

De Miguel, 30, died in hospital on Tuesday after being placed in intensive care the previous day. He had collided with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second division match, which was later abandoned.

The Equatorial Guinea international had run towards the middle of the pitch to clear the ball when he struck De Miguel. Owono was sent off after the incident.

Spanish media reported that De Miguel suffered a cardiac arrest and was resuscitated before dying the following day.

Speaking to reporters before Real Madrid’s Champions League match against AEK Athens on Wednesday, Mourinho said: “I think it's something very shocking for the world in general, so imagine for the world of football, for people like us who are on the pitch competing every day.

“It's hard, it's sad. Obviously, all our words and feelings go out to the family and friends of the player who passed away, and I also think this has to be a very, very, very difficult moment for the other player (Owono) involved in the situation.

“It's sad for everyone.”

Real Madrid’s players and staff observed a minute’s silence before training on Tuesday to honour De Miguel.

Mourinho’s side have won all three of their matches in the Champions League league phase so far and will face AEK Athens on Wednesday.

The Portuguese coach also confirmed that Vinicius Junior would start the game, despite serving a four-match domestic suspension.

Vinicius Junior’s absence from domestic football has provided opportunities for Yan Diomande, who has performed strongly, while Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler and Endrick are also competing for playing time in Real Madrid’s attack.

The forward line also includes France superstar Kylian Mbappe and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Mourinho said the number of attacking options available to him was beneficial rather than a problem.

“We have a lot of quality players - having many players is never a problem for me, the problem is having few,” he said.

“The problem is not having options. Having many is good. Diomande is a player who can play on both wings, Brahim is a player who can play on both wings, Endrick more on the right but also on the left.

“Vini, of all of them, is the one who is best suited to play on the wing, on the left wing. We know that.”