Real Madrid News
Stats: Aurelien Tchouameni makes instant impact in first Real Madrid start under Mourinho
Aurelien Tchouameni made his first start of the season for Real Madrid in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Elche, and his return offered Jose Mourinho an early reminder of what the French midfielder can bring to the side.
After missing the opening part of the campaign with a pre-season injury, Tchouameni had only managed limited minutes – 11’ vs Inter Milan and 21’ vs Rayo Vallecano – before being trusted from the start at the Estadio Martinez Valero.
For what it is worth, he looked comfortable from the outset.
Rather than needing time to settle, the midfielder gave Real Madrid control without the ball right from the beginning, helping organise the press and closing spaces between Elche’s midfield and attack.
Tchouameni brings control back to Real Madrid midfield
Tchouameni’s numbers show how influential he was defensively. He finished with four recoveries, with only Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Cucurella and Arda Guler recording more for Real Madrid on the night.
He also made two interceptions, contributed to two blocked shots and registered six defensive actions. His two tackles showed his willingness to step into challenges, while he was not dribbled past once.
Furthermore, his aerial numbers were less impressive. Tchouameni contested only one aerial duel and failed to win it.
On the ground, though, he won both of his challenges and repeatedly disrupted Elche’s attempts to play through the middle.
That defensive presence became particularly useful when Elche tried to build attacks between the lines. Tchouameni was often there to break up moves before they could develop.
Tchouameni also impressed with the ball
Notably, the Frenchman’s performance was not limited to defensive work. Tchouameni completed 95% of his passes and produced two key passes.
He was also highly reliable with longer distribution, completing three of his four long passes.
That ability to switch play and move the ball forward without taking unnecessary risks helped Real Madrid maintain their attacking rhythm.
The only real concern came late in the game. Real Madrid surrendered a two-goal advantage as their intensity dropped, allowing Elche to level before Carlos Espi restored the lead.
Still, Tchouameni’s individual display was encouraging. He lasted until the 85th minute despite having barely played this season, suggesting that he could be ready for the all-important Madrid Derby this weekend.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have no issue with Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate over Ceuta shirts incident – report
Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Elche was decided by Carlos Espi in stoppage time, but an incident before kick-off has generated its own discussion.
Both teams entered the pre-match proceedings wearing T-shirts in support of Ceuta, with the slogan “We are all caballas” displayed across the front.
Elche’s players were already wearing the shirts before walking onto the pitch, while Real Madrid received theirs in the tunnel shortly before the teams emerged.
Three Madrid players, however, did not wear them in the same way as their teammates.
What happened with the Real Madrid players?
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Ibrahima Konate all collected the shirts from the kit man. Mbappe and Vinicius put theirs on, although only as far as their shoulders, before removing them shortly afterwards.
This was the moment Vinicius told Mbappé how to put on the t-shirt supporting Ceuta in such a way that the text “We are all Ceuta” wouldn’t be visible
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) September 15, 2026
Vinicius, Mbappé & Konaté made it clear tonight that they don’t support Spain. They support the invaders pic.twitter.com/QmE0rQXJsj
Konate did not put the shirt on at all and instead held it in his hands.
The three players then joined their teammates for the pre-match handshake without the T-shirts. The moment was visible during the match broadcast and became a talking point around the game.
The shirts were intended to show support for Ceuta, the Spanish autonomous city that experienced a major influx of Moroccan migrants at the end of last July.
That inevitably added attention to the different ways in which the Madrid players handled the shirts, although there is no indication from the club that the three players were making any kind of statement.
Real Madrid attach no importance to the incident
👉 Vinicius, Mbappé y Konaté no enseñan el mensaje de ánimo a Ceuta.
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) September 15, 2026
👉 Ambos futbolistas se colocaron mal la camiseta sin que se vea el 'Todos somos Caballas'. pic.twitter.com/XkrhUDS8XQ
According to information obtained by Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid do not consider the episode significant.
The club’s position is that players are free to decide whether they want to wear a particular shirt.
Real Madrid also believe that most of the squad did appear wearing the T-shirts, which is why they see no reason to attach additional meaning to the actions of the three players.
Their stance is straightforward: nobody should be forced either to wear a shirt or to refuse to wear one, leaving the episode as a pre-match moment rather than something Real Madrid consider relevant to the team or their internal dynamics.
