Real Madrid News
Jose Mourinho settles on preferred Real Madrid defence for Atletico derby – report
Jose Mourinho is already shaping his plans for Real Madrid’s upcoming derby against Atletico Madrid, with the Portuguese coach making early tactical preparations.
Los Blancos returned to winning ways with a 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano and have emerged victorious in all but one of the games they have played so far this season.
Madrid have Elche up next in La Liga before facing their first major test this season against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.
According to Defensa Central, Mourinho currently sees Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella as his preferred back four for the trip to the Metropolitano.
Dumfries moves ahead of Alexander-Arnold
The most significant decision appears to be at right-back, where Dumfries has moved ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in Mourinho’s hierarchy.
The Dutchman offers greater defensive intensity, aerial strength and recovery power, qualities Mourinho clearly values in matches where Madrid expect to face sustained pressure.
Alexander-Arnold can offer more with the ball, but for a derby away from home, Mourinho’s thinking appears straightforward: defensive security comes first.
That does not make Dumfries untouchable for the season, but it does suggest Mourinho already has a clear idea of which profile he trusts most in the biggest fixtures.
Konate and Huijsen becoming the preferred pairing
In central defence, Konate and Huijsen are currently the combination that inspires the most confidence.
Konate gives Madrid pace, aggression and physical dominance, while Huijsen offers greater calmness in possession and progressive passing from the back.
Antonio Rudiger remains an important option, but the current trend points towards him operating behind that pair when everyone is fit.
Cucurella, meanwhile, is expected to start on the left despite Alvaro Carreras producing a strong performance against Rayo Vallecano.
Rotations could be on the cards against Elche
Madrid still face Elche before Atletico, and that match could allow Mourinho to manage minutes.
The report suggests one of the centre-backs could be rested if necessary, with Konate among those who may be protected ahead of the derby.
That would make sense. Madrid cannot afford to lose sight of Elche, but the Metropolitano presents a very different physical and tactical challenge.
It is still early days in Mourinho’s reign at Madrid, and his preferred options in each position are slowly emerging.
For now, the Portuguese tactician seems to have arrived at a decision on his preferred back four against Atletico, and it remains to be seen how the plans change in the coming days.
Real Madrid can’t seem to catch a break, as far as La Liga is concerned.
After a defeat to Atletico Madrid, where the referee made a few controversial calls, Real Madrid’s recent game against Villarreal was also mired in controversy, after Vinicius Jr. was sent off and his goal disallowed.
The Brazilian now faces the possibility of facing a lengthened suspension that could rule him out of El Clasico later this month.
Real Madrid frustrated over kickoff time vs Valencia
Now, Real Madrid have found themselves another issue, this time regarding the kickoff time for their upcoming La Liga game.
According to AS, Real Madrid are unhappy with the slot LaLiga has handed them for their Matchday 12 meeting with Valencia.
Madrid face AEK Athens in the Champions League on Wednesday, November 4 at 6:45 PM, only for LaLiga to then schedule the Valencia clash for Saturday, November 7 at 9:00 PM.
With the squad set to land back in the capital in the early hours, Mourinho’s men will have little more than Thursday and Friday to prepare for a Valencia side that has proven stubborn of late.
Club sources describe “enormous unease and surprise” at the decision, precisely because it hits the players so directly.
Rivals handed the kinder draw
The frustration deepens when Madrid look across at their title rivals.
Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal all play their European fixtures a day earlier, on Tuesday, November 3, and then feature in LaLiga on Sunday, November 8.
Betis, who travel to Borussia Dortmund on the Wednesday, are likewise handed a Sunday slot.
That leaves Real Madrid as the only one of the five Spanish sides in Europe forced to play on the Saturday, surrendering a full day of recovery to their competitors.
From the dressing room’s point of view, there is no logic to it. With an international break following that weekend, and no midweek European or Cup commitments to juggle, Madrid see no reason the game could not have been pushed to Sunday.
