Mourinho’s Real Madrid still searching for answers as new season approaches

Real Madrid’s unbeaten pre-season has done little to settle concerns over the team’s performances, with Jose Mourinho still trying to establish a clear identity and solve problems in possession before competitive football begins.

The Spanish side completed another friendly victory on Wednesday evening, beating Deportivo de La Coruna 1-0. However, the result did not disguise the lack of balance that has been evident during the preparation period, with gaps appearing between the lines and lapses in concentration leaving the team vulnerable.

Real Madrid have won every friendly match they have played so far, but their positive results have not removed questions about their technical level. Mourinho is still experimenting with his players and managing their minutes, yet the meeting with Deportivo reinforced the impression that his side has not found the structure required to control games consistently.

According to Sport, Mourinho believes the team is “progressing”. Training-ground conditions have reportedly improved, according to sources familiar with daily life at the club, but the manager’s reactions during matches suggest there remains significant work to do.

Bernardo Silva has emerged as one of the central figures in the new project. Since joining Real Madrid, the Portugal international has brought greater organisation to midfield and is viewed as more than a player capable of producing decisive moments in the final third.

His ability to help build attacks from deep and connect the different lines has made him increasingly influential in recent matches. Eduardo Camavinga, by contrast, has not yet provided the same contribution in possession. His strengths are different from Silva’s, leaving Real Madrid searching for greater understanding among their midfield options.

With the club’s leading players nearing a return to the starting XI, Mourinho faces an important decision over how responsibilities will be divided. The Portuguese manager also kept several key players out of the final friendly against Schalke, adding another layer of uncertainty before the season begins.

Real Madrid were unable to sign Rodri and do not appear to have a direct alternative capable of resolving all of their problems in building play. As a result, Mourinho may have to place greater emphasis on players who can change matches through individual moments.

Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz and Tiago Pitarch are among those who could provide that spark, either with a pass capable of breaking a packed defence or with an individual action that alters the course of a game. Relying too heavily on such solutions carries risks, particularly against opponents willing to defend deep and close down space. Those matches could repeatedly expose Real Madrid’s weaknesses.

Midfield remains one of the areas requiring the most clarity while the club waits for Aurelien Tchouameni to return to the group. Guler is still seeking the role that will allow his team-mates to make the most of his qualities, while Federico Valverde has not reached the level expected of him since the World Cup despite regularly attempting to move forward from midfield.

The relationship between Valverde and Camavinga will be closely watched. Competition between the two players at Valdebebas has become less intense, but only competitive matches will show whether their emerging understanding is genuine or merely a temporary truce.

Mourinho is also assessing academy players and squad alternatives as he works towards a final group of about 20 players. That plan sends a clear message to those outside his core thinking, particularly as the presence of players difficult to move on has blocked new signings in certain positions.

Camavinga and Raul Asencio are among the players surrounded by uncertainty as Real Madrid attempt to reshape the squad without allowing the departures issue to create another problem.

Mourinho places considerable value on collective work. His strongest teams have been those that operated as a single unit, able to achieve more together than the sum of their individual abilities. But that approach also makes players who do not fit the system more conspicuous.

That has prompted discussion within the club about the changes made to the squad after two trophyless seasons, and whether those changes have dealt with the roots of the problem or merely addressed some of its symptoms.

Antonio Rudiger remains part of the defensive picture despite repeated knee problems. Pressure is also increasing on other players, including Raul Asencio, who has signed a new contract but has no genuine guarantee over his place in Mourinho’s plans.

Ibrahima Konate faces a demanding task in establishing himself after an inconsistent season with Liverpool. He arrives at Real Madrid determined to recover his best form and demonstrate that he can lead the club’s defence.

In attack, the arrival of Carlos Espi has provided an encouraging boost, much as Gonzalo Garcia did previously, with Espi now taking his place in the club’s calculations. Both players represent the young footballers showing that sacrifice and commitment are as important as talent, particularly for a team that has lacked decisiveness and resilience at key moments.

Endrick still needs to improve in those areas. The Brazil striker can create a dangerous opportunity in an instant, but in the next passage of play he can commit an intervention or make a decision that does not fit the context of the match.

Mundo Deportivo’s assessment is that Real Madrid, whether Mourinho remains in charge or not, and whether Bernardo Silva is part of the team or not, are still searching for an answer to the problem that has followed them in recent years: the absence of a clear attacking identity.

Time is running short. Once the season starts, the friendly matches will be forgotten and the issues identified during pre-season will become genuine crises if Real Madrid cannot address them.

Results can conceal weaknesses during preparation, but they will not be enough when the matches that decide trophies begin.