Mourinho says Real Madrid are taking shape after unbeaten preparations

Real Madrid have completed their pre-season unbeaten, with manager Jose Mourinho encouraged by the team’s tactical progress and the growing unity within his squad before next week’s La Liga opener against Espanyol.

Real Madrid won three of their friendly matches against Ferencvaros, Deportivo and Schalke, while drawing with Fiorentina. The results have given the club a positive lift before the start of their competitive campaign.

Speaking to the club’s television channel after the victory over Schalke, Mourinho said his players had performed well both collectively and individually. He added that the team’s tactical ideas were becoming clearer, although the players were at different stages of readiness because some had joined the preparations earlier than others.

Those who reported for the first day of pre-season have completed about 30 training sessions and played six matches. By contrast, some of the newer arrivals have taken part in only three or four sessions.

Mourinho said that difference explained the variation in rhythm, intensity and stamina across the squad, but he remained satisfied with the team’s overall tactical development.

The Portuguese manager also praised the quality available to him at Real Madrid. Although he accepted that the squad contained players with differing levels of ability, he said the immediate priority was to improve the group as a whole rather than assess individuals.

He believes the team is beginning to operate effectively both with and without the ball.

Mourinho was similarly positive about the club’s new arrivals, despite the difficulties of adapting quickly to an intensive training programme involving two sessions a day in high temperatures.

He said the new players had arrived with a positive attitude and a clear desire to become part of the group.

The manager explained that decisions over training loads and playing time were being based on scientific analysis of performance data, combined with the coaching staff’s experience and each player’s understanding of his own physical limits.

That approach, Mourinho said, had helped Real Madrid reach the end of pre-season in good physical condition.

A stronger team spirit

After the match at Veltins-Arena, Mourinho also highlighted the spirit developing inside the dressing room.

Some players had chosen to return to training before the date they had originally been given, while others arrived on the final day of the preparation period. Mourinho viewed both situations as evidence of a growing level of commitment and a strong desire to begin the new campaign.

He said Real Madrid were already starting to look like one team, with empathy and a collective spirit becoming increasingly visible among the players.

The manager added that the enthusiasm surrounding the club was no longer limited to the coaching staff and supporters. He said the same energy was now evident within the squad itself.

Real Madrid will open their La Liga campaign against Espanyol next week, with Mourinho concluding his assessment by saying the team was “in a very good state”.

The unbeaten pre-season has therefore provided optimism at the club, although the manager’s comments also acknowledged that several players still need time to reach the same level of match fitness and conditioning as those who began preparations on the first day.