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Real Madrid News Mourinho’s major Real Madrid pre-season obsession appears to have paid off – report Jose Mourinho took over as the manager of Real Madrid at the start of the summer, with Florentino Perez turning to a familiar face to arrest Los Blancos’ slump. While two trophyless seasons do not qualify as a slump for most clubs, at Madrid, that is a full-blown disaster. Jose has now taken over to take Real Madrid back to where they belong, and he has been adequately backed in the transfer market by Perez. Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid determined to address one problem that has repeatedly damaged the team in recent seasons: injuries. Only two new injuries during pre-season Avoiding fitness problems became a major priority for Mourinho, his coaching staff and the club throughout pre-season, with particular care being taken over workloads at Valdebebas. So far, the strategy appears to have produced encouraging results. Only two players have suffered new injuries during Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations. Raul Asencio picked up a muscular injury to the rectus femoris in his right leg, while Thiago Pitarch suffered a knee sprain. That represents a significant improvement compared to some recent summers. Real Madrid have previously seen as many as eight players encounter injury problems during pre-season periods, with important names including Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga among those affected. The trend has also carried into those respective seasons. Mourinho taking special care with Endrick There are still several players currently unavailable, although their problems did not originate during Mourinho’s pre-season. Rodrygo, Militao and Ferland Mendy are continuing their recoveries from injuries suffered previously. Endrick is another player receiving particular attention. The Brazilian experienced several muscular problems during his spell with Lyon, and Real Madrid are therefore managing him through specific individual work designed to reduce the chances of those issues returning. It is clear that Mourinho has placed a lot of emphasis on the squad’s fitness. Early signs are encouraging Preventing injuries completely over a long season is impossible, especially with the increasingly demanding football calendar. What Real Madrid have in their hands and can control is the preparation. Mourinho has also had the complication of players returning at different stages following the World Cup, making workload management particularly important before the competitive season begins. While the number two sounds appealing compared to how things have been in previous pre-seasons, Mourinho will know that the momentum needs to be carried into the new season. The Portuguese tactician is unlikely to be able to make the kind of rotations he has been making in pre-season so far. With more and more minutes accumulating in fewer and fewer legs, recovery and preparation become the two most important things for the manager. It remains to be seen whether Mourinho can finally find the fix to Real Madrid’s recurring injury issue and how players maintain their fitness this campaign. Real Madrid News Mourinho faces a challenge to accommodate two key Real Madrid stars in the same lineup After a month of preparing for the season ahead, Jose Mourinho has made some key observations in his new-look Real Madrid squad. The coach has already been impressed by youngsters Mario Rivas and Alex Ciria. But as far as the first-team is concerned, that is rather inconsequential. Mourinho’s big challenge will be accomodate the six new signings into the system. But perhaps a bigger challenge will be to plan around existing stars as well. Mourinho’s big dilemma this season According to MARCA, Mourinho faces a big dilemma in Real Madrid’s creative unit heading into the new season. His plan is to accomodate both Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler in the same lineup, so Real Madrid become extra effective when creating chances. However, in a team full of star attackers such as Yan Diomande, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, that is going to be rather difficult. Even the former coach Alvaro Arbeloa had a difficult time settling both Bellingham and Guler in the same eleven last season. With Real Madrid signing more players this summer, Mourinho’s job will be made even harder. What can they offer to the table? Having Bellingham and Guler in the same eleven does solve a lot of problems for Real Madrid. Bellingham is effectively a number ten who can offer those marauding runs into the box, making life extra difficult for opposing defenders. Guler, on the other hand, can operate well in tight spaces and versatile enough to move out wide, if necessary. The two could work in tandem to create openings for players like Mbappe, Diomande and Vinicius in the final third. The only possible way Real Madrid can accomodate the two in the same lineup is if Mourinho sacrifices Diomande, with Guler operating wide alongside Vinicius and Mbappe leading the line. Bellingham can operate as the sole number in a 4-2-3-1. Alternatively, Bellingham can operate in the double-pivot, but that would leave the number six with a lot of defensive work – something that is not feasible.