Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder fails to convince in pre-season amid uncertain future as competition grows
Eduardo Camavinga’s difficult run of form continued during Real Madrid’s third pre-season friendly, raising further questions about his role ahead of the new campaign.
While some players use preseason to reset after a disappointing year, Camavinga has yet to show signs of turning the page.
Left out of France’s 2026 World Cup squad following an underwhelming season, the 23-year-old spent the summer working to return in top condition.
However, after more than two hours of action against Alcorcon and Leganes, followed by a full 90 minutes against Fiorentina, the midfielder has struggled to make a convincing case for himself, reports AS.
Mixed performance vs Fiorentina
Camavinga started his third consecutive preseason match as Jose Mourinho continues to work with a squad still missing several World Cup internationals.
The opportunity was there for the Frenchman to impress, but his display once again fell short.
Although he provided the assist for Alexis Ciria’s opening goal, his overall performance was marked by misplaced passes, uncertainty in possession, and lapses in concentration.
One failed first touch, in particular, quickly went viral on social media and summed up an evening in which he never looked fully comfortable.
There is still plenty of time left in pre-season, giving Camavinga further opportunities to respond, but the early signs have done little to change perceptions after a difficult campaign.
Competition about to get tougher
If Camavinga’s own performances are one concern, the growing competition for places may be an even bigger one.
With Real Madrid’s World Cup players returning this week, Mourinho will soon have a full midfield to choose from.
The first arrival is Bernardo Silva, who officially joined the squad after completing his medical on Monday.
Although naturally capable of playing on the right wing, the Portuguese international is equally comfortable operating deeper in midfield, directly competing for the role Camavinga has occupied during preseason.
Next to return will be Aurelien Tchouameni, who is widely expected to be one of Mourinho’s first-choice midfielders.
Rodri could further complicate situation
The situation could become even more challenging if Real Madrid complete the signing of Rodri from Manchester City.
The Spain international would immediately strengthen Mourinho’s midfield options and further reduce Camavinga’s path to regular minutes.
Should Rodri arrive, Camavinga’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu could become increasingly uncertain, even though the Frenchman remains intent on staying at the club.
While no decision has been made, increased competition may eventually force both player and club to reassess his long-term role if his performances fail to improve.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
