Jose Mourinho’s first Real Madrid training match offers early glimpse of new era
· Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid took another step in Jose Mourinho’s pre-season preparations by holding their first training match of the summer against Alcorcon.
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There was obvious curiosity about how the Portuguese tactician would set his team up and a desire to observe and identify early key patterns.
According to MARCA, the afternoon at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium gave supporters an early look at Mourinho’s methods, his coaching staff and the first tactical ideas taking shape ahead of the new campaign.
Mourinho begins shaping his team
The session started with fitness work led jointly by Antonio Pintus and Antonio Dias, Mourinho’s long-time fitness coach.
Los Blancos players have suffered so many injuries in recent seasons, and their collaboration is expected to help put some of those issues behind them.
After the warm-up, the players moved into rondos directed by assistant coach Joao Tralhao before Mourinho took a more active role during the practice match.
Real Madrid registered a 1-0 win over Alcorcon. (Picture credit: Instagram/@realmadrid)
The Portuguese coach’s first starting line-up featured Andriy Lunin in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras in defence, Eduardo Camavinga, Cestero and Arda Guler in midfield, with Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo Garcia and academy forward Gabri Valero leading the attack.
Mastantuono makes an early impression
The standout performer was Mastantuono, who looked lively throughout the opening period.
The Argentine won an early penalty after a direct run, although Arda Guler was unable to convert from the spot as Madrid’s penalty struggles continued.
At a time when Mastantuono’s future at the club is not clear and a loan deal could be on the cards, this was an important display from the Argentine youngster.
The match eventually finished 1-0 in Madrid’s favour after Daniel Yanez converted a later penalty.
Trent Alexander-Arnold started under Mourinho. (Picture credit: Instagram/@realmadrid)
First-team players completed around 70 minutes before youth-team players took over for the remainder of the session.
Off the pitch, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Eder Militao watched from the stands as they continued their own preparations, while Ferland Mendy remains in recovery alongside Militao and Rodrygo.
Positive signs, but perspective is needed
Pre-season training matches are never the place for definitive conclusions, yet they often provide useful clues about a coach’s priorities.
Mastantuono’s confidence, the involvement of several Castilla prospects and Mourinho’s willingness to experiment were all visible.
Obviously, some of this is bound to change once the World Cup stars start returning to the fold, but Mourinho’s Madrid are off to a winning start and, for now, that counts for something.