Mourinho’s plan in Real Madrid before the team break
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and his support staff understand the importance of the next stage, and so the Portuguese coach has been focused on a clear goal in recent weeks: entering the international break with the team in top condition, preferably at its level.
With Mourinho, Real Madrid have won 3 matches against Espanyol, Real Sociedad and Malaga in the first three rounds of the Spanish league.
Mourinho wants a perfect start ahead of the derby
The plan for the Portuguese coach is clear: to win all their games before the clash with Atletico Madrid, then go into the derby full of confidence and send a strong message to their rivals.
With 3 games in the Spanish league against Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Elche before facing Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby, the Real Madrid club have the opportunity to make it 6 wins from 6 in La Liga, giving Mourinho an ideal start to consolidating his ideas in the squad.
It’s not just about the results, as the technical staff are working on many technical details at the same time, especially the new defensive system, which appeared more cohesive during the win against Malaga and the clean sheet.
The upcoming period is also an opportunity for some players to regain full physical fitness, in addition to continuing the process of integrating new elements into the team system.
The memory of “5-2” is still fresh
While Mourinho has confirmed he has not delved too deeply into his review of what happened to Real Madrid last season to avoid falling into the trap of comparisons, last season’s heavy 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Metropolitano remains a lesson that cannot be ignored.
This match was one of the most visible signs of the beginning of the collapse of the Xabi Alonso project, after the team suffered a heavy blow at a stage during which it was still searching for its identity and stability.
For this reason, Mourinho realizes that the upcoming derby has a double meaning, especially since the new project must maintain a positive start and not allow any serious negative results to undermine the confidence that has started in the dressing room.
One of the most important things that Mourinho is focusing on at Real Madrid right now is maintaining his desire and hunger to win. The Portuguese coach knows that the quality of the names alone is not enough to create a team that can compete in every tournament and that constant motivation and the desire to win will be essential elements for the success of his project.
3 weeks without matches
The derby against Atlético Madrid will be a turning point, not only because of its importance, but also because it comes before the international break, which will last around three weeks.
For Mourinho, this period is a positive and worrying side. On the one hand, it will give him the opportunity to work with the players in Valdebabas, correct mistakes and develop his tactical ideas away from the pressure of successive matches. On the other hand, the absence of international players means that the group will not be complete, which may complicate the process of teamwork.
Mourinho has the opportunity to build his team
The break won’t just be a rest period for Real Madrid, but could turn into a team-building process as Mourinho gets the chance to continue working with existing elements, develop defensive and tactical ideas, and give new players more time to adapt to the atmosphere at the club.
The derby reflects the peculiarities of the next stage
Real Madrid will go into the derby looking to maintain their perfect start, and Mourinho knows that a win would not only give him three points but also give his new project a huge boost before the break, while a loss could quickly bring to mind last season’s nightmare against Atletico Madrid.
The coming weeks will therefore be an early test of Real Madrid’s character and whether Mourinho’s side can turn a promising start into a strong and stable project capable of competing until the end.