Mourinho handed fresh defensive dilemma as Real Madrid prepare for La Liga opener

A new injury setback has left Real Madrid with just three established first-team centre-backs available for their opening La Liga fixture against Espanyol, forcing Jose Mourinho to consider academy players as he manages an early-season defensive crisis.

Mourinho began the campaign with five defenders in his first-team squad, but two of them will miss the opener. Eder Militao and Raul Asencio are both unavailable because of injury, further reducing the manager’s options before the competitive season has even begun.

According to AS, Real Madrid are expected to start their first matches with Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger and Ibrahima Konate forming a back three.

Konate returned to training on Monday and has two weeks, along with a friendly against Schalke during the build-up, to reach peak fitness before La Liga begins. His involvement will therefore be closely monitored as Real Madrid assess whether he is ready to play a significant role at the start of the season.

Huijsen also carries a minor concern. A slight muscular problem prevented him from taking part in the club’s first official test, although his wider fitness record offers encouragement. He was Real Madrid’s most-used centre-back last season, making 40 appearances.

Rudiger is the third senior option. A knee injury limited his readiness during the previous campaign, but he has already played 45 minutes in a friendly against Ferencvaros and started the match against Deportivo.

Despite those appearances, the shortage of available defenders has revived concerns among Real Madrid supporters. With two players already in the treatment room and the new season still to begin, the club’s coaching staff have been forced to look beyond the established first-team group.

That has opened the door for two players from Real Madrid Castilla who have impressed Mourinho during pre-season: Joan Martinez and Mario Rivas.

Both defenders started Real Madrid’s first two matches of the summer schedule. Mourinho praised their performances, while also identifying areas of their game that still require improvement.

One of the pair will be required to complete the matchday squad as the team’s fourth centre-back when La Liga gets under way. Their promotion would provide Real Madrid with cover while Militao and Asencio remain sidelined.

Joan Martinez has been given the nickname “the new Ramos” and is regarded as one of the promising talents the club are working to develop at Valdebebas. Rivas has also made a strong impression, scoring his first senior goal against Ferencvaros.

The centre-back showed confidence in the air to meet a cross from Alexis Seria and direct it into the net. Mourinho then selected him from the start against both Fiorentina and Ferencvaros, giving him the opportunity to gain experience at a higher level.

Rivas struggled during the match against Moise Kean, but Mourinho viewed that difficulty as part of his development. The manager delivered him the same message as Martinez: both young defenders have earned opportunities, but must continue working on the aspects of their game that need refinement.

Real Madrid’s coaching staff will therefore begin the season with very limited depth in central defence. However, the performances of Martinez and Rivas during pre-season have supplied Mourinho with two academy options capable of helping the first team through its opening challenge against Espanyol.