Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Real Madrid find themselves in a very unfavourable situation heading into the international break, following their 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
The Merengues feel hard done by some controversial officiating, but the performance was from from the level expected, and they now find themselves six points behind league leaders and arch-rivals FC Barcelona.
One week break for non-international players
Now, according to journalist Sergio Quirante on DAZN, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has given his players a full one week off after the derby defeat at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The Portuguese tactician has only seven first-team players at his disposal for the next three weeks, with the rest of the squad away on international duty.
Indeed, Mourinho will only have Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio, Alvaro Carreras, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Thiago Pitarch at his command.
Federico Valverde, Real Madrid player
Valverde suffered an injury vs Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Federico Valverde will also stay back but his availability is uncertain after the injury he suffered in the derby.
Rodrygo Goes, Ferland Mendy, and Eder Militao are also recovering from their respective injuries.
Given the lengthy break and only a handful of players available, Mourinho has decided to give them an extended week-long break – a decision that was made before the derby defeat.
Time to regroup
The time off could do well for Real Madrid players as well as Mourinho and his staff, as they will look to regroup and recharge after the debacle at the weekend.
It has become clear that there is still a lot of work to be done for the new manager despite the positive start that was made up until this weekend.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Real Madrid are under pressure. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Barcelona have won all their matches and opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table, while Atletico Madrid have moved to second place.
The month of October will be anything but easy for the Spanish capital club either as they take on the likes of Villarreal, Sevilla, and Barcelona in La Liga.
Between those league fixtures they will also be facing two tricky UEFA Champions League encounters against AS Roma and RB Leipzig.
So, for now, the players and the manager will look to recharge during their break after which it will be back to the drawing board.
Florentino Perez, President of Real Madrid
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho and Florentino Perez of Real Madrid
Perez out of the woods. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
RFEF won’t take action against Mourinho’s words. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)