Mourinho gives Real Madrid’s back line a new look with Cucurella debut

Jose Mourinho has begun putting the foundations of a new Real Madrid defence in place, with the changes becoming clear during the La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Mourinho reacted urgently in the 35th minute by demanding greater concentration from his defenders after Sergio Gomez sent a powerful shot narrowly wide of the Real Madrid goal. The effort ended a relatively quiet spell for Thibaut Courtois, who had earlier been tested by Mikel Oyarzabal in the 10th minute.

The Portuguese manager immediately sent five players to warm up with fitness coach Antonio Pintus: Marc Cucurella, Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Diaz, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Espe.

Mourinho later explained the decision, saying: “I always do it in the 35th minute. I like everyone to be inside during the break, because there are instructions for everyone.”

The second half began with the score level at 1-1, and Cucurella came on for Alvaro Carreras. The substitution marked his first appearance as a Real Madrid player at Santiago Bernabeu.

It also produced a new four-man defensive line featuring three players signed during the summer. Denzel Dumfries and Cucurella operated as the full-backs, while Ibrahima Konate played on the right side of central defence alongside Dean Huijsen, who joined the club last season, on the left.

Mourinho said Carreras’ withdrawal was tactical rather than a wider change to his plans.

He said: “The change of Carreras was because of the yellow card (a card he received in the 10th minute after a challenge on Kubo).”

The coaching staff now appear to have settled on a defensive combination that may not undergo many changes. Antonio Rudiger could replace Konate or Huijsen, with Eder Militao expected to return at a later stage.

The quartet are set to form the backbone of Real Madrid’s defence in the season’s most important matches. Dumfries, accustomed to playing in a five-man defence, has moved ahead of Alexander-Arnold to become the undisputed first-choice right-back. His presence, combined with Cucurella’s contribution on the left, allows the defensive line to push higher and take part in defending, attacking and pressing in advanced areas.

That, in turn, gives Real Madrid’s midfielders and forwards the platform to apply the intense high press Mourinho is seeking to establish.

Statistics from Opta highlighted Dumfries’ influence in the attacking third. He completed 15 passes in that area, ranking fifth among all players. Arda Guler led the category with 25, followed by Kylian Mbappe with 22, the same total as Federico Valverde, while Bernardo registered 17.

Konate topped the list for successful tackles, with two, level with Cucurella. Huijsen was Real Madrid’s most accurate passer, completing 69 of his 72 attempts for a success rate of 95.8%.

Carreras also made a notable defensive contribution before he was substituted, recovering possession four times. Huijsen recorded the same number, while Real Madrid’s back four recovered the ball 15 times in total. Seven of those recoveries came in Real Sociedad’s half.

Real Madrid’s defensive work limited their opponents to three shots on Courtois’ goal, the same number they allowed in the match against Espanyol.

However, that figure is regarded as high by the standards of a Mourinho side. During the 2010-11 season, he kept 30 clean sheets: 16 in 38 La Liga matches, eight in 12 Champions League games and six in nine Copa del Rey fixtures. Overall, Real Madrid kept 30 clean sheets in 59 matches, exceeding a 50% rate.

The developing defensive unit will have several opportunities to improve before the next international break. Real Madrid are due to face Malaga and Betis, followed by their opening Champions League match, before games against Rayo and Elche.

Those fixtures will lead into the derby against Atletico at Metropolitano.

AS concluded: “As the decisive stages approach, a new white wall is beginning to lay down its foundations, representing a new defence designed to provide better protection.”