Mourinho names Cucurella to start for Real Madrid as he outlines plans for Malaga

Jose Mourinho says Marc Cucurella will start for Real Madrid against Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, with Alvaro Carreras set to begin on the bench, as he also called for greater understanding and friendship between Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.

The match will be Real Madrid’s third of the La Liga season, and Mourinho used his pre-match news conference to explain how the squad’s depth would help him manage different players’ physical condition.

“There are players who, as I always repeat, have had different training schedules. We have a strong squad capable of compensating for these problems,” Mourinho said.

The Portuguese manager then gave a specific example of the selection decisions he expects to make against Malaga.

“Tomorrow, Cucurella will start the match, and Carreras, who performed well against Espanyol and Real Sociedad, will be on the bench. If Cucurella feels tired, Alvaro will be ready to come on. This is the kind of solution that a squad like this provides for a coach,” he added.

Mourinho also discussed the progress of Yan Diomande, who joined the group late and has been working to build up his fitness after a difficult summer.

“I will not talk any more about the players individually. Diomande arrived late and had a difficult summer. He did not train with Leipzig, and when he arrived, he did not have a base to build on, so he is progressing gradually,” Mourinho said.

“He has already had some playing time, and that is what he needs in order to develop. Tomorrow he will either start or come on as a substitute. He is preparing more and more.”

Mourinho urges Vinicius and Mbappe to build understanding

The Real Madrid manager was also asked whether the relationship between Vinicius Junior and Mbappe could improve as the pair continue to play together.

Mourinho said the responsibility rested with the whole team, but stressed that the partnership would need more than individual ability to reach its full potential.

“It is a collective effort. The secret lies in quality, and we have outstanding quality. Another point, although it is secondary, is no less important, is the mutual understanding between them,” he said.

“There must be a great deal of understanding, friendship and cooperation. When these qualities come together with exceptional quality, you have everything you need to continue developing.”

Mourinho added that the team’s attacking dynamic should be viewed as a collective process rather than simply the combination of two players with the other nine around them.

“The dynamic is not simply 2+9, it is 11. This dynamic will push them, and it will push everyone, to produce better performances. I am extremely happy after only two weeks of working with them.”

Real Madrid will host Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday as they continue their La Liga campaign.