Real Madrid create 15 chances but score only twice as Jose Mourinho resists tactical change

Real Madrid’s failure to convert chances into goals is causing concern among supporters, but manager Jose Mourinho believes the team’s underlying attacking performance remains strong and has no plans to make major changes after scoring only twice from 15 clear opportunities in their past two matches.

Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 2-1 on Tuesday in their opening UEFA Champions League match, but the result came only days after they suffered their first La Liga defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Real Betis.

The contrast between the team’s ability to create openings and its lack of efficiency in front of goal has become a growing source of frustration at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid have repeatedly reached dangerous positions and created opportunities, yet supporters are demanding greater composure and decisiveness in the final third.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Real Madrid produced 15 clear scoring chances across the matches against Real Betis and Inter Milan but converted only two of them. The figures may be viewed as a worrying sign outside the club, particularly after the team failed to take control of either game despite finding space in advanced areas.

Jude Bellingham was among those to miss opportunities against the Italian side. The England midfielder failed to convert two straightforward chances that could have increased Real Madrid’s winning margin.

However, Mourinho and his players believe the main issue is the final touch rather than the attacking structure itself. Their view is that repeatedly getting into dangerous areas remains the most important indicator of the team’s progress.

Within Real Madrid, there is confidence that the side is finding space effectively, particularly when launching quick attacks. Players are also continuing to reach the opposition penalty area regularly and create situations from which they can threaten the goal.

That is why Mourinho does not intend to abandon his current approach because of the results in the past two matches. Marca reports that the Portuguese manager wants his players to continue following the same attacking principles while improving their decision-making, accuracy and efficiency in the final third.

Mourinho believes finishing can fluctuate from one match to another. On some occasions, a team may turn a large proportion of its chances into goals; in other games, it can require several attempts before finally finding the net.

The manager has acknowledged the weakness in Real Madrid’s finishing and has also reproached supporters following whistles aimed at Vinicius Junior. The reaction reflects the growing impatience in the stands, although Mourinho does not want that pressure to affect his players’ confidence.

From the coaching staff’s perspective, creating 15 clear chances in two matches is still an encouraging sign. Real Madrid are continuing to absorb some of the details and movements required by Mourinho’s system, and the manager believes the attacking unit can develop a stronger understanding.

He also considers the foundations of the team’s attacking play to be in place. The link-up between the forwards can improve, but the side already has the mechanisms needed to produce danger consistently.

Mourinho’s message to the dressing room is therefore clear: the route will not change. Real Madrid need to be more clinical in front of goal, but there is no reason to discard the style that allows them to reach opponents’ penalty areas repeatedly.

The challenge now is to turn that territorial and attacking dominance into goals before the pressure from the Santiago Bernabeu becomes greater.