Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid: what needs to be improved after the mixed match

Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid: what needs to be improved after the mixed match

According to Bbc.

Context

José Mourinho has signed a three-year contract with Real Madrid and is tasked with getting the club back on track after two trophy-less seasons. He faces challenges this season including the need to improve his control in midfield and his consistency. The derby defeat to Atlético Madrid was a reminder of just how difficult the task facing him in La Liga is.

Why is this important

The return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid is of great interest among La Liga football fans, especially after his successful but controversial first term. The team's mixed results, including the recent defeat to Atletico Madrid, raise questions about Mourinho's ability to restore stability and achieve success. It also calls into question whether he can cope with the pressure that La Liga clubs face in a highly competitive environment.

Key takeaways

• Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid: what needs to be improved after the mixed match.
• Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid has seen mixed results, with the team struggling with consistency and control in midfield following the derby defeat to Atlético Madrid.
• Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid: What needs to improve after mixed start? - BBC Sport

When Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid this summer, it had been 13 years since he last left the club. He returned with his usual reputation and huge expectations, but faced a completely different challenge. Mourinho has signed a three-year deal and the club hope he can restore stability and success after two trophyless seasons. Now, seven games into La Liga, some familiar tensions have already begun to surface. Defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid left fans confused about Real's consistency and Mourinho's approach.

The Portuguese coach has plenty of time to consider his options during an unusually long three-week international break. Real won't play until Saturday, October 10, when they host Villarreal and then travel to Barcelona in two weeks. Mourinho is concerned about the break but it is an early opportunity to analyze and prepare for a run of matches that could reveal a lot about the direction of his second spell at the Bernabeu.

For Mourinho, the derby defeat to Atlético Madrid was a bitter reminder of the scale of the challenge he faced. Despite blaming the loss heavily on two first-half decisions he felt went against Real - Christian Romero avoided a red card for a flagrant foul on Judah Bellingham and Lee Kang-in was not punished for a similar foul on Federico Valverde - the reality is that their performance simply wasn't good enough.This means Real are fourth in the La Liga table, with defending champions Barcelona already six points ahead. They have won all seven of their matches, scoring 31 goals, with Raphinha already scoring 12 goals. Atletico are in second place and Real Betis are in third, both five points behind Hansi Flick's side.

The clear problem in the defeat to Atlético was the lack of control in the midfield. Mourinho started Aurelien Tchoumeni alongside Valverde, with Bellingham playing more up front. This combination provided Real with energy and defensive security, but they were unable to control the tempo of the game or create enough chances from deep. Bernardo Silva was brought into the game for the final eight minutes, but by then Real were already trying to save the match.

This poses an interesting selection decision for Mourinho. Against opponents who defend compactly, Real may need more creativity and control in midfield. Silva's ability to dictate the pace of play makes him an obvious option, while Arda Guler offers another creative presence up front. Mourinho doesn't necessarily have to give up the double holding midfielder, but he does need to find a way for Real to be more in control of matches.

No problems with individual attacking quality in Real Madrid.The problem is getting it to work consistently as a whole. Against Atlético Real Madrid struggled to create clear chances. Kylian Mbappe was largely ineffective and barely touched the ball, while Vinicius Junior was substituted shortly after Dean Huysen's red card early in the second half. Mourinho has three players - Vinicius, Mbappe and Bellingham - capable of deciding the outcome of matches on their own. Bellingham's ability to push the ball forward, appear in the box and link up the midfield with attack is an important part of Real's attacking threat, but Mourinho must ensure the trio complements rather than overloads each other.

Vinicius needs to rediscover the explosive pace and directness that makes him so difficult to defend, while Mbappe needs more chances rather than asking him to create opportunities for himself. There is another attacking option that Mourinho could use more often. Carlos Espi has already impressed since joining the club, scoring the winner in the 90th minute on his debut against Espanyol and then repeating it in stoppage time against Elche. The 21-year-old has shown he can make an impact when given playing time. With Real still working on how to best balance Vinicius, Mbappe and Bellingham, Espy offers Mourinho another option - especially when Real need to create focus in the closing stages of matches.His early influence suggests he deserves more opportunities to show what he can do.

The other main issue is what happens when Real lose the ball. Atlético repeatedly found space around Real's midfield and were able to attack quickly, while Huisen's red card further complicated matters. If Mourinho wants his team to press aggressively and attack aggressively, Tchoumeni and Valverde must provide sufficient protection when possession is lost. Against Atlético, Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Huisen and Marc Cucurella were positioned in defense ahead of Thibaut Courtois. There is quality in this quartet, but Mourinho will want more consistency - especially when Real's full-backs go forward. Courtois' performance showed how important he is, making several key saves to keep Real in the game. Mourinho's goal will be to reduce these situations and make Real more resilient when attacks fall apart. The experienced Portuguese needs to quickly find new solutions to his team's problems, otherwise the title race could be in jeopardy.

What happens next

Mourinho now has the opportunity to analyze the situation during the three-week international break. Real Madrid will return to action on October 10 when they host Villarreal before traveling to Barcelona. These matches could be decisive in determining the direction of his second spell at the Bernabeu and in restoring fans' trust in the team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Real Madrid in the last matches?

Real Madrid have faced difficulties, including a defeat to Atlético Madrid, which has left fans wondering about the team's consistency.

Who confirmed Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid?

Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid this summer after 13 years since his last departure.

Why is analysis of Real Madrid’s game important now?

Now, during the three-week international break, Mourinho has the opportunity to analyze the team's performance and prepare for important matches.

What changes are expected in Real Madrid's game?

Mourinho must improve the team's consistency and achieve success after two seasons without trophies.

What is Real Madrid's current position in La Liga?

Real Madrid currently occupy fourth place in the La Liga table, six points behind Barcelona.

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