Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho’s first official starting lineup back at Real Madrid had some surprises at the weekend, especially in midfield.
Aurelien Tchouameni was absent on the night, prompting Mourinho to deploy an interesting midfield pivot with Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva.
Jude Bellingham naturally started as the attacking midfielder, and the manager opted to deploy Arda Guler as well in place of a right-winger.
Ultimately, the extra-man in midfield paid off and helped Real Madrid create chances against Espanyol, many of which came from the feet of Guler himself.
A dilemma for tonight
As confirmed by AS in a recent update, the Real Madrid manager is now in a dilemma ahead of the team’s match day 1 clash scheduled for later today.
Arda Guler of Real Madrid
Guler shone against Espanyol. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Facing off against Real Sociedad, he is conflicted on whether to retain the extra man in midfield or drop the advantage for a natural right-winger. Guler or Diomande – that is the question.
The two players are competing for a starting spot tonight, both for a place on the right-wing on paper. While Diomande will stick wide as a traditional winger, however, the Turkish star will drop more centrally into a creative role.
Both players will undoubtedly have minutes, but it remains to be seen who starts and who comes on as a substitute.
Price tag matters
Under usual circumstances, it would be a no-brainer for Guler to continue starting after the performance he dropped in the previous game.
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
Will the record signing start? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The issue, however, is that he is not competing for a spot with any other player but the club’s record signing.
Yan Diomande became Real Madrid’s costliest arrival when he signed for the club earlier this summer, and with that price tag comes a natural requirement to start.
His cameo off the bench at the weekend, however, was anything but promising and it will thus be interesting to see how Mourinho tackles the situation.
Will the manager go for the bigger name and more lavish signing under pressure to field him? Or will he hand minutes to a seasoned player who dropped a superior performance just days ago? A big decision awaits.
Real Sociedad star names Barcelona as stronger side but expects Real Madrid to improve: ‘Mourinho could turn everything around’
Ander Barrenetxea, Real Sociedad player
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea has given his verdict on the La Liga title race ahead of his side’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, naming Barcelona as the stronger team while refusing to rule out a major response from Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
Speaking to AS before Real Sociedad face Real Madrid in their first home game of the 2026/27 season, Barrenetxea was asked to compare the two Spanish giants after another summer of significant investment.
Barrenetxea sees Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid
When asked about his preference between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Barrenetxea acknowledged that Mourinho could change the situation, although he preferred to name the Blaugrana.
“I see Barcelona as the stronger side, but now Madrid with Mourinho could turn everything around, so I don’t know – but at a pinch, Barcelona.”
Barrenetxea’s assessment comes after another summer in which Spain’s biggest clubs have strengthened their squads, increasing the level of competition at the top of La Liga.
The Real Sociedad winger welcomed the arrival of top players, believing matches against the best teams provide footballers with the clearest measure of their own level.
“Well, I like that. I like the fact that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético have the best players, because ultimately that’s where you get a sense of your own level when you play against them.
Ander Barrenetxea, Real Sociedad player
Barrenetxea feels Barcelona are better than Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
“You see where you really stand, they put you in your place a bit, and I like that.
“I think we’ve all dreamt since we were little of playing against the best: against Messi, Cristiano.
“And I think those players are coming to LaLiga again now, so I’m happy. Rodri joining Barça too – it’s mad.”
Barrenetxea on facing Real Madrid
Barrenetxea was also asked when opponents have the best chance of facing Real Madrid over the course of a season, to which he said,
“Never. It’s best never to face them. But yes, I do think that at the start is when they are in the worst physical shape and when I reckon you can do them the most damage.”
The match also represents an opportunity for Barrenetxea to continue his personal record against Los Blancos.
Ander Barrenetxea, Real Sociedad player
Ander Barrenetxea has a habit of scoring against Real Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The winger admitted that Real Madrid are the team he has scored against most often during his career.
“That’s right. Yes, I’m good at it. In fact, I think they’re the team I’ve scored the most goals against.”
He also explained why finding the net at the Santiago Bernabeu carries an extra sense of satisfaction.
“Well, against teams like this, you enjoy scoring even more. I suppose that’s true for everyone, and for me too, of course.”
Lastly, when asked whether he expected any banter from Mourinho, the winger dismissed the possibility and emphasised his respect.
“No, no. Impossible – I have a lot of respect for him,” he concluded.