Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Real Madrid have had a mixed start to the season under Jose Mourinho, with some very good games and some difficult ones, such as the one against Atletico Madrid.
Although refereeing decisions may have hindered Los Blancos at the Metropolitano, their performance left a lot to be desired.
Tennis icon Carlos Alcaraz has offered a concerned assessment of Real Madrid’s start to the season, admitting that watching Mourinho’s team has been difficult.
Alcaraz sees room for improvement
As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the lifelong Real Madrid supporter discussed his club during an interview with Stats Perform ahead of the Laver Cup in London.
“Right now, I see other teams doing better,” Alcaraz said.
“They are Real Madrid, great players, with talent.”
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid player
Real Madrid have significant scope for improvement. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
Despite recognising the individual quality available to Mourinho, the Spanish tennis star believes Madrid have yet to turn that talent into a convincing collective.
“As a team, they can do better. They have to polish a few things,” Alcaraz said.
That assessment feels particularly relevant after the 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Defeats against Real Betis and Atletico have already allowed Barcelona to establish a six-point advantage at the top of La Liga.
Alcaraz wants ‘more intensity’
Alcaraz was particularly candid about the experience of watching Madrid this season.
“Right now I’m suffering watching the matches because you never know what’s going to happen,” he said.
“I would say a little more intensity is needed.”
There is some irony in intensity being identified as the problem. Mourinho has built a side packed with powerful players like Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid
Real Madrid are lacking intensity despite a lot of physicality. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
However, intensity is about more than just physicality. Mourinho’s side sit rock bottom in La Liga for total distance, high-intensity distance and the number of high-intensity actions.
Madrid have looked vulnerable when matches become stretched, while their attacking talent has not always translated into collective control.
The Atletico defeat exposed that problem again, with Madrid struggling to impose themselves consistently despite having enough individual quality to decide the match.
Alcaraz’s words reflect those of most Real Madrid fans, and it remains to be seen how Los Blancos improve after the international break.
Real Madrid in critical situation amid chaos and indiscipline in the dressing room – report
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
In the past couple of years, Real Madrid have been troubled by a lack of cohesion and constant infighting in the dressing room. Despite boasting some of the best players in the world, the team has struggled to produce results.
Jose Mourinho was brought in this summer to change that. But one month into the new season, there has been little to no change. And it appears Real Madrid are staring at similar problems that have plagued the team in the last two years.
Chaos and indiscipline in the dressing room
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Real Madrid are staring at similar problems of the past. (Photo by Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images)
According to journalist Juan Jesus, Real Madrid are currently in a critical situation behind the scenes, with the dressing room said to be in a state of disarray.
The report claims there is a worrying number of players struggling with weight gain and a lack of physical fitness, something rarely associated with the club in recent years.
The alleged indiscipline reportedly extends beyond the training ground too, with claims that some players do not travel back with the team after matches, instead taking private jets to attend parties or short getaways before returning in time for training.
A strained relationship with Mourinho
Perhaps the most damaging aspect of the report concerns Mourinho’s relationship with his squad.
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Mourinho has a job on his hands. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The claims suggest that training sessions at Valdebebas have been conducted at a low intensity, causing discontent within the club.
More alarmingly, it is alleged that some players talk among themselves during Mourinho’s tactical explanations, showing him little respect, while communication between the coach and several key figures is said to be virtually non-existent.
They tie into the wider narrative surrounding Real Madrid this season, with the team having covered the least distance of any side in La Liga and endured a mixed start that leaves them six points behind Barcelona.
For Mourinho, restoring unity and intensity will be paramount when the season resumes. Whether the situation is as dire as reported remains to be seen, but the Portuguese has plenty of work to do to get Real Madrid firing.