The last time Real Madrid went two consecutive seasons without a major trophy (۲۰۰۸-۲۰۱۰), they eschewed Galacticos and brought in Jose Mourinho who built the team from the back.
So after the last two trophyless seasons, they brought Mourinho back.
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That means ultra-conservative tactics, plus a slew of central defenders and outside backs, not something that would normally excite Madridistas.
But even a superstar-studded attack does not work without a solid, veteran back line.
Welcome, then, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate. But Real Madrid President Florentino Perez did not forget about scoring goals.
He also added Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva to an attack featuring Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, along with Brahim Diaz, Endrick, Arda Guler and Rodrygo.
Recent failures aside, Real Madrid remains ambitious. Los Blancos expect to compete for both the Champions League title and La Liga.
Perez is not going to easily give in to Paris Saint-Germain’s newfound Champions League pre-eminence, or Barcelona’s attempt at a La Liga three-peat.
Real Madrid tops the Champions League charts with ۱۵ titles, and has won La Liga ۳۶ times, seven more than Barca.
Al Jazeera takes a look at the key questions before the new season for Real Madrid.
Second time a charm at Real Madrid for Jose Mourinho?
Mourinho’s first Real Madrid stint followed a two-year trophy drought, and the solution worked, sort of. The Portuguese won La Liga once and reached three Champions League semifinals from ۲۰۱۱-۱۳.
Improvement, but not what the Merengues were looking for when Mourinho arrived on the heels of capturing the ۲۰۱۰ Champions League with Inter Milan.
These days, Mourinho’s stock has not exactly risen, and he is still looking for another Champions League success. But after last season’s coaching fiasco – Xavi Alonso being replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa mid-season – Perez is apparently hoping conservatism and discipline will bring out the best in the most expensive roster in La Liga.
The preseason presented a preview of Mourinho-ball, with Real Madrid winning the Trofeo Teresa Herrera last week. So, Los Blancos carried off a rather bulky trophy, though not a major one.
And the ۱-۰ victory over Deportivo A Coruna was classified as a preseason friendly, complete with ۱۹ substitutions. They were, though, playing to win at all costs, judging by Antonio Rudiger’s first-half hip-check that sent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flying.
Good transfer business for Real Madrid?
Madridistas expected the arrival of a high-profile transfer, such as Alessandro Bastoni, Achraf Hakimi, Michael Olise, or Vitinha – not to mention Rodri. That did not happen, but the newcomers provide upgrades that could make a difference.
Cucurella, replacing Ferland Mendy, brings guile and tactical savvy, supporting Vinicius Junior on the left. He also happens to be Real Madrid’s only World Cup winner with Spain’s national team.
Dumfries might not compare with Hakimi, but he presents an alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Dutch defender is a dependable, physical right back, who captured two Serie A scudetti and reached two Champions League finals with Inter.
Silva contributes composure, and his ability to settle the midfield fills a need lacking since the departure of Luka Modric. Konate provides physicality and recovery ability in central defence, and could challenge Dean Huijsen and Rudiger for a starting spot.
Diomande burst onto the scene with Red Bull Leipzig and starred for Ivory Coast in the World Cup. Diomande was “discovered” in northern Florida in the United States by Leganes last year, after being passed over in Major League Soccer tryouts.
He earned a ۱۲۵ million euro ($۱۴۴.۵m) transfer that could be considered excessive, as rival suitors dropped from the scene, leaving Real Madrid to essentially bid against itself. Real Madrid will hope the investment in Diomande pays dividends, as he resembles a dynamic, younger version of Vinicius Junior, and can perform on either wing.
A number ۹ for Real Madrid, anybody?
Endrick wears the number ۹, but does not fit the profile of a hold-up striker. Nor does Mbappe, though he has made the position his own. Endrick, ۲۰, failed to meet expectations after arriving on a ۴۷.۵ million euro ($۵۴.۹m) transfer from Palmeiras. He ended up on loan to Olympique Lyon, scoring five times, including a hat-trick against Metz.
At ۶-foot-۴-inches, Carlos Espi represents Mourinho’s conception of the number-۹ role. The ۲۱-year-old lacks experience but showed promise with Levante, converting ۱۱ goals last season.
Perez, though, is sticking with his investment in Endrick. Last year, he let Nico Paz go to Como, and, this year, Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham.
Two go-to guys, but not enough goals?
Few can match Mbappe’s ability to stretch defences and finish.
Last season, Mbappe totalled ۴۲ goals, plus another ۱۰ for France in the World Cup. But should Mbappe be a lone striker, or should he be breaking down defences on the wing?
As for Vinicius Junior, his effectiveness on the left wing is unquestioned. The problem has been capitalising on the talent of Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. Despite Mbappe’s goal explosion, Real Madrid’s La Liga totals declined from ۸۷ in ۲۰۲۳-۲۴ to ۷۸ the next season and ۷۷ last season.
In the past, Mourinho’s forwards have sacrificed scoring to concentrate on defending. Not exactly what Mbappe or Vinicius Junior signed up for, but Mbappe indicated he is ready to go along with the programme in an interview with Real Madrid TV. Mourinho, Mbappe said, “is a coach that knows how to win.”
Time for Bellingham to go on the offensive?
As a ۲۰-year-old, just arrived from Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham converted ۱۰ goals in his first ۱۲ La Liga games in ۲۰۲۳. Bellingham’s scoring tailed off after that, and he’s fallen into a complementary role in midfield. But after a breakout World Cup, maybe Bellingham will reassert himself as an attacking midfielder.
Performing for England, Bellingham ignited the offence, driving through the midfield, setting up teammates, and also converting seven goals. He also displayed leadership qualities, rallying the team in difficult conditions in Mexico City and leading a comeback against Norway.
Bellingham has plenty of midfield support at Real Madrid, playing alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde. But will Mourinho allow Bellingham to go forward at will, as he did prior to the arrival of Mbappe, or have him thinking defence first?
What about Arda Guler?
Guler was a regular from last season’s opener on; his ۵۱ appearances were second on the team to Vinicius Junior’s ۵۳. And Guler is expected to be a sure starter this season. The arrival of Silva, though, could create a squeeze for playing time.
Mourinho favours experienced players, and also appears to be on a wavelength with Silva, partly because of their Portuguese backgrounds. Guler can be spectacular, breaking past opponents on the dribble, sparking the attack. But the threat of a reduced role has led to reports that Guler is considering a return to Fenerbahce.
