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Real Madrid News The sporting and cultural changes Jose Mourinho wants to bring to Real Madrid – report Jose Mourinho was selected as Real Madrid’s latest manager after the administration were forced to change two managers in a single season to deal with the internal turmoil. His appointment, in that sense, is not only to improve the team’s sporting results and bring titles but also to improve the culture inside the dressing room. After all, Florentino Perez saw Mourinho as an experienced, respected option who has been a serial winner throughout his career – thereby placing him as a candidate who can earn respect from the big names in the dressing room. Mourinho has a clear plan As far as bringing an identity to the team goes, Mourinho is aware that the task is difficult. The first official game the team played earlier this week, in fact, proved that there is a lot to work on. As reported by AS in a recent update, one of the most important facets of the game Mourinho wishes to improve in his side is the transitions. He wants the team to master transition attacking and knows that it is an objective that will take time. Yet, it remains a key objective for him. While the team improves, he also understands that there is no scope for an ‘adaptation period’ at Real Madrid and has thus sent out a strong message. “While the team is being built, we have to win at all costs.” Bringing a culture shift The Spanish outlet further reveals Mourinho’s plans beyond the sporting sense and what culture shift he intends to bring to Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho is demanding intensity and competitiveness from his men, for starters. He wants the squad to be hungry for titles, especially given how they have gone trophy-less in back-to-back seasons. Further, he intends for his team to be convincing and winning games and not just scraping through or imposing themselves. He dreams of an internal culture of discipline, order and solidarity where the team is placed ahead of any individual. For such changes to be implemented, however, will take months and it is clear that the manager is dreaming of changes that could create internal riots. If there is any manager who can bring such a shift, however, it is him. Real Madrid News 19-year-old Argentine starlet reflects on difficult Real Madrid spell: ‘It wasn’t easy’ When Real Madrid signed Franco Mastantuono from River Plate last summer, he was widely regarded as one of, if not the biggest, South American talents coming through. Los Blancos fast-tracked him straight into the first team under Xabi Alonso, but the teenager struggled to adapt to life in Madrid. Mastantuono left on loan to Fiorentina in the summer in a bid to get regular game time away from the Santiago Bernabeu. The Argentine winger experienced a turbulent campaign at Madrid, working under three different coaches: Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and, very briefly, Jose Mourinho. A difficult season Speaking to DSports, Mastantuono admitted his year in Madrid had been challenging but believes the experience ultimately helped his development. “We all had a difficult season in Madrid. It wasn’t easy,” Mastantuono said. “These things always help you improve and learn. Fiorentina isn’t about revenge, but an opportunity to show the player I am and help Fiorentina become great again,” he explained. Rather than viewing this move to Italy as an opportunity to move away from Madrid, he seems keen on using the experience he gained there to succeed in Italy. Mastantuono embraces the pressure The Argentine also discussed the demands of representing Real Madrid, something he had already experienced in a different form while playing for River Plate. “I had the privilege of playing for River and Real Madrid, incredible teams,” he said. “There is pressure, but it is part of the sport. I like it. For me, it is a game as well as a job, of course,” Mastantuono revealed. That attitude perhaps explains why Mastantuono has gone searching for game time this season rather than staying at Madrid. No bad blood over Real Madrid exit Importantly, Mastantuono dismissed any suggestion that his departure from Real Madrid came following a breakdown in his relationship with the club. Earlier in the summer, it had emerged that the Argentinian wanted to return to River Plate, which Los Blancos did not agree to. However, even if that situation actually transpired, it looks like it was sorted out amicably. “When I spoke with Real Madrid, it was a cordial and friendly conversation,” he explained. “I decided to leave the club. I had many options, and I thank everyone who showed interest,” he concluded. Mastantuono’s departure puts a pause on a short and complicated chapter for a player who arrived with a lot of expectations. The good thing for him is that he is only on loan at Fiorentina and could return to Madrid, where the book is still open. The first chapter may have been difficult, but there is no necessity for the trend to continue through the rest of the chapters. Mastantuono’s priority now is to have a good season at Fiorentina, and it remains to be seen whether he has a future in the Spanish capital in the coming seasons.