Mourinho faces tactical and selection challenges at Real Madrid after derby defeat
Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid this summer and, seven league matches into his second spell, is confronting tactical and selection problems after a derby defeat by Atletico Madrid. The loss has intensified questions about Real’s consistency and Mourinho’s approach as he prepares for a three-week international break.
Mourinho had won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup during his first spell at Real and arrived back at the club 13 years after he left on a three-year contract intended to restore stability and success following two trophyless seasons. The international break lasts unusually long and gives him time to reassess; Real do not play again until they host Villarreal on Saturday, 10 October and will travel to Barcelona two weeks later. Mourinho has expressed concerns about the break, but it is an early window to plan for the fixtures that will shape his second tenure at the Bernabeu.
The derby defeat at Atletico provided a sharp reminder of the scale of the task Mourinho faces, with the coach citing two first-half decisions he felt went against his side: Cristian Romero avoiding a red card for a studs-up challenge on Jude Bellingham and Lee Kang-in not being punished for a similar challenge on Federico Valverde. Beyond the refereeing complaints, the match report notes that Real’s overall performance was insufficient to secure a result.
Real sit fourth in La Liga, six points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who have won all seven of their opening league games and scored 31 goals with Raphinha on 12. Atletico are second and Real Betis third, both five points behind Hansi Flick’s side. The piece points out that the only occasion Real have overturned a six-point deficit to Barcelona was during Fabio Capello’s 2006-07 title campaign.
A clear issue against Atletico was Madrid’s lack of control in midfield; Mourinho started Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Valverde with Bellingham deployed further forward, a pairing that provided energy and defensive security but failed to control tempo or generate sufficient creativity from deeper positions. Bernardo Silva was introduced for the final eight minutes, by which time Real were already chasing the game, and the situation raises a selection dilemma over whether to retain the double pivot or bring in a player such as Silva or Arda Guler to impose more control and creativity.
Despite abundant individual attacking talent, Madrid struggled to fashion clear chances against Atletico. Kylian Mbappe was largely ineffective and barely involved, while Vinicius Jr was substituted shortly after Dean Huijsen received a red card early in the second half. The report lists Vinicius, Mbappe and Bellingham as three match-defining figures whose roles must be balanced so they complement rather than crowd one another; it also notes Bellingham’s tendency to carry the ball forward, arrive late in the box and link midfield with attack.
Carlos Espi, a 21-year-old who scored a 90th-minute winner on his league debut against Espanyol and again in stoppage time against Elche, is highlighted as an alternative attacking option who has shown an ability to influence late in matches. The piece also flags Madrid’s vulnerability when possession is lost: Atletico repeatedly exploited space around the midfield, Huijsen’s red card compounded the problem, and if Mourinho wants aggressive pressing his midfield pair must provide protection. Defenders Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella started in front of Thibaut Courtois, whose several important saves kept Madrid in the game, but greater cohesion will be required when the full-backs push forward.
Mourinho faces a short-term task of finding tactical solutions to improve midfield control, attacking cohesion and defensive solidity; his side resume after the break with a home match against Villarreal on Saturday, 10 October and then a trip to Barcelona two weeks later, fixtures that will offer a clearer indication of the direction of his second spell.
