Q: Jose Mourinho is again. Actual Madrid have now gone by means of three successive coaches and two seasons of failure. What does Mourinho deliver to the desk that may essentially change issues? Can he change Madrid’s trajectory?
Sam Leveridge: Expertise dealing with huge egos and the respect of the dressing room, way over both of final season’s coaches. Whereas it received’t fairly be Carlo Ancelotti ‘profitable on vibes’, it’ll assist to make plenty of his adjustments simpler to implement. His defence-first philosophy will handle an issue space and look to make Actual Madrid onerous to beat, figuring out that they’ve the firepower on the different finish.
Lucas Navarrete: He’s somebody who makes certain everybody pulls in the identical course, which is one thing Actual Madrid have lacked for some time. Actual Madrid have the same tradition downside than the one they’d previous to his first tenure, so I do consider he can remedy these points.
Kiyan Sobhani: I do know the apparent reply is ‘we lastly have a psychologist to repair the locker-room points’ so I’ll present one thing completely different: Mourinho is a way more inflexible tactical coach in comparison with Ancelotti and Alonso. He has a transparent system (4-2-3-1) and he builds it round that, and can discipline a symmetrical scheme with a pure proper ringer which we haven’t had in a very long time. I’m very curious to see this workforce underneath him. If I’m to offer an optimistic take, it’s that Mourinho is likely to be a very good mixture of Alonso and Ancelotti when it comes to man-management and tactical options.
Mehedi Hassan: Sure, I consider Jose Mourinho can change the trajectory. Actual Madrid adores Jose. However he brings within the vital discomfort for everybody that, if somebody is just not doing their job correctly, he’ll name them out with none hesitation. Actual Madrid as a membership wanted this discomfort. He already pointed to the membership hierarchy’s failures throughout Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa’s stints – in a really delicate manner – throughout the El Chiringuito interview. This was unthinkable with all of his final 4 predecessors, Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane, Alonso and Arbeloa.
Hridyam Arora: Jose Mourinho is used to managing groups like Actual Madrid. Bringing again the ambition, togetherness, and a tradition of working onerous for the membership – as he has recommended in the previous few days – can be essential. Actual Madrid have been as disjointed final season as they ever have been, and Mourinho’s man-management and strictness will assist change a few of that.
Lamdarhri Achraf: First, Actual Madrid’s trajectory was good with Xabi Alonso. He was on monitor for 90+ factors in La Liga. He misplaced his final sport with Actual Madrid. However the workforce created 7 huge possibilities and missed 5. Barcelona hasn’t conceded such various huge possibilities since their 8- 2 defeat in opposition to Bayern Munich. The attention take a look at and stats backed the truth that the workforce improved on and off the ball. There have been some tactical issues, however it’s price contemplating that the workforce didn’t have a pre-season, and the board didn’t signal a midfielder to offer the traits Toni Kroos provided this workforce on the ball. Xabi Alonso spent solely six months with the group, which was a brief interval for a workforce to implement a sure taking part in fashion, not to mention excel at it. Coming to Mourinho, there’s the issue of egos and tradition that must be sorted out within the first place. Then, the tactical points got here second. Out of possession, I don’t suppose Actual Madrid can be a very good off-ball workforce with the presence of Mbappé and Vinicius Junior on the identical pitch. They might run with depth, however how they’ll run is the query right here. Each confirmed that they lack spatial consciousness; they don’t scan sufficient, which impacts their decision-making and their subsequent actions. In possession, Actual Madrid had that main downside of missing somebody who can zip passes by means of defensive traces from deep, management the tempo and rhythm based mostly on the sport state’s necessities, and most significantly, somebody who’s safe underneath strain. Arda Guler was used deeper for that position underneath Xabi Alonso, however he didn’t have the physicality to win duels. Additionally, being one-footed and having issues with taking part in shortly (from first-time touches, for instance) made him a press set off. Excessive up the pitch, there are a lot of gamers who need to lean towards the left, which makes that space very clogged. Plus, there are a lot of gamers who need the ball at their toes. That lack of attacking depth makes the opposition comfy in protection. Having gamers to run behind backlines places the opposition in a dilemma, whether or not to remain nonetheless or comply with the run. Each eventualities are win-win conditions, as you may ping passes excessive for the runner if he’s not tracked, or you may have areas between the traces to navigate passes if the line of defense is dragged backward. Then, there’s the issue of field occupation. In abstract, the trajectory of Actual Madrid might change if Mourinho has solutions to the issues mentioned above.
Matt Wiltse: Jose comes again however he’s a distinct man. He admits as a lot. I’m not anticipating him to be as animated and as controversial as his first stint. What I do count on is Jose can be blunt, trustworthy, and clear together with his gamers. He’ll make the selections for the nice of the workforce and can create a tradition of self-discipline. A tradition of effort and competitiveness. These issues will enhance this workforce vs final 12 months however I stay skeptical that this profile of gamers can complement one another and actually compete on the highest degree.
Q: What tactical shifts or ideas of play can be carried out? What do you suppose would make this workforce extra profitable?
Sam Leveridge: Discovering a spot for Arda Güler and Jude Bellingham in the identical workforce. Figuring out Bellingham’s position on this system is Mourinho’s greatest take a look at, however Güler is prepared for the step up and it certainly received’t come on the expense of a participant of Bellingham’s high quality. That would imply dropping Güler deeper, which can take some work to shore up the defensive facet of the midfield which has been left virtually solely on Aurélien Tchouameni’s shoulders.
Lucas Navarrete: I’d count on Actual Madrid’s counterattacks to enhance and that may be extremely useful. Vinicius and Mbappé’s chemistry has been missing, and the workforce’s counterattacking potential may enhance with Diomandé as nicely.
Kiyan Sobhani: I believe one of the best model of this workforce comprises each Arda Guler and Jude Bellingham collectively. They should co-exist and certainly one of them (in my view, it’s Arda) should play deeper. If Mourinho can efficiently get these two on the identical web page, he’s solved an enormous piece of the puzzle. Clearly, Vinicius and Mbappe might want to play nicely collectively persistently for the primary time – one thing that hasn’t occurred of their two years collectively – or Mourinho should bench certainly one of them (and everyone knows how that’s going to go off the pitch).
Mehedi Hassan: An emphasis on defensive self-discipline is on the best way. It is probably not fairly to observe initially, however all of Mourinho’s profitable sides had a really strong defensive base – John Terry-Ricardo Carvalho, Walter Samuel-Lucio, Sergio Ramos-Pepe, Terry-Gary Cahill – all of them had constant minutes in Jose’s profitable sides. Actual Madrid’s protection had no continuity or consistency over the past two seasons. I believe that’s about to be the primary huge change.
Hridyam Arora: With the signing of Yan Diomande and a return to the 4-2-3-1 set-up, I count on Mourinho’s facet to be devastatingly good on the counter-attack. They’ve all of the instruments to be nice at it, and it will likely be fascinating to see how nicely he’s capable of implement it.
Lamdarhri Achraf: Mourinho would possibly shift Arda Guler’s place to play the Modric position. However that’s associated to the development of Arda Guler’s physicality, extra reliance on his proper foot, fast studying of the conditions, and execution of the cross or the motion basically. Folks are likely to hyperlink Mourinho with the counterattacking fashion that made the workforce so good in his first spell. However issues have modified, and soccer is completely different in 2026. In La Liga, all of the groups know that Actual Madrid has transitional belongings and killer gamers on this part. Most of La Liga groups will sit and defend deeper. So, you want correct dynamics and a strong taking part in fashion in opposition to low blocks, which is certainly one of Actual Madrid’s issues in current seasons. Retaining that transitional menace and including layers to resolve these compact defensive constructions is a no brainer to compete.
Matt Wiltse: I count on a much more pragmatic method, particularly within the huge video games. This workforce has by no means been profitable urgent and Jose will play to his greatest participant’s strengths which implies sitting deep and hitting the opposition on the counter with breakneck pace. Low blocks in La Liga have been Madrid’s Achilles heel in current seasons, it will likely be fascinating to see how Mourinho approaches these matches.
Q: Six new signings: Bernado, Konate, Cucurella, Dumfries, Espi, Diomande – who has the largest affect and why?
Sam Leveridge: Cucurella, he’s the one man assured to start out in his place and solves an space that has been problematic since Marcelo acquired too previous. His vitality and depth is an ideal match for a Mourinho system.
Lucas Navarrete: Cucurella, no query. Diomandé has the best potential of all of them however Cucurella can be a large improve over Carreras.
Kiyan Sobhani: I may checklist all of them and it could be true, however that’s a lazy reply, so I’ll select Marc Cucurella. He’s one of the best signing the membership made this summer time (however I nonetheless actually consider all six can be necessary in various methods).
Mehedi Hassan: Yan Diomande. We haven’t had an thrilling profile like Diomande on the best wing since Gareth Bale. Since Bale’s decline, each Actual Madrid workforce has attacked from the left largely. Diomande may change that and open up house for Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe.
Hridyam Arora: Marc Cucurella. He could be the largest improve Actual Madrid have made in that place since dropping Marcelo. His potential to lock down one of the best right-wingers in world soccer could be essential in Champions League knockouts and Clasicos. Bernardo Silva additionally deserves a shout. Actual Madrid haven’t had a midfielder like him for a few years, and regardless of his age, he’ll remedy at the least a number of the points Actual Madrid, as a system, have had.
Lamdarhri Achraf: I count on the buildup and development will enhance when Bernardo Silva is on the pitch. His spatial consciousness, availability (more often than not trying to free himself), ball carrying, spinning round opponents, and discovering these pockets of house to cross the ball are a number of the qualities Actual Madrid lacks in midfield. Additionally, I believe the workforce lastly has a winger who can function on the best. Yan Diomandé can play on each flanks. Undoubtedly, he’s a defensive improve throughout the entrance line. He by no means stops working, reacts to triggers, recovers the ball cleanly, is an intensive counterpresser, tracks again so much, and supplies assist for the fullback. In a nutshell, he works actually onerous. On the ball, he’s extra of a winger who assaults the byline incessantly for crosses and cutbacks. He is likely one of the greatest dribblers, ball carriers, and probability creators within the high 5 leagues. So, you want an optimum field occupation for him to have a huge impact.
Matt Wiltse: Bernardo provides what has been lacking in midfield – a cerebral participant who can enable the workforce to “breathe” whereas underneath strain. He can pace a sport up or sluggish a sport down. I believe he can be extra necessary than many individuals assumed when the signing was first introduced.
What’s your “scorching take”?
Sam Leveridge: Actual Madrid to go a full season unbeaten on the Bernabéu. Mourinho’s Benfica didn’t lose a league sport in any respect final season, so he could make groups onerous to beat even now, and it’s onerous to see a Mourinho facet dropping 2-1 to Celta Vigo or 1-0 to Getafe. Ancelotti managed it in 2023/24, and Mourinho ought to be capable to do it once more this season as he did in 2012/13 within the league and Europe.
Lucas Navarrete: Actual Madrid win LaLiga comfortably (10+ factors). I count on the workforce to be very strong this 12 months and I may see them opening an enormous hole over Barça throughout the first half of the season. Below Mourinho, Madrid ought to be capable to win persistently in these dreaded away video games in locations like Getafe or Osasuna.
Kiyan Sobhani: Mourinho will rotate plenty of gamers, together with huge names, go deep into his squad, hold everybody recent and hungry week to week, and win the league. He’ll additionally break a Champions League barrier and go additional than the workforce has in earlier years.
Mehedi Hassan: Actual Madrid will win LaLiga with 100+ factors.
Hridyam Arora: Actual Madrid will win the league. Mourinho’s groups often do fairly nicely of their respective leagues, and he’ll assist the squad perceive the significance of consistency and taking part in nicely within the ‘smaller’ video games.
Matt Wiltse: The Mbappe-Vinicius-Bellingham trio fails to ignite for an additional season. The workforce may muster their approach to La Liga or Copa del Rey however will fall brief within the huge matches within the Champions League.
Q: Give us your predictions for:
A) Unsung hero of the season
Sam Leveridge: Marc Cucurella.
Lucas Navarrete: Dean Huijsen
Kiyan Sobahni: Carlos Espi
Mehedi Hassan: Marc Cucurella
Hridyam Arora: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Matt Wiltse: Bernardo Silva
Sam Leveridge: Arda Güler.
Lucas Navarrete: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Kiyan Sobhani: Dean Huijsen
Mehedi Hassan: Dean Huijsen
Hridyam Arora: Dean Huijsen
Matt Wiltse: Trent Alexander-Arnold
Sam Leveridge: Kylian Mbappé.
Lucas Navarrete: Kylian Mbappé
Kiyan Sobhani: Jude Bellingham
Mehedi Hassan: Kylian Mbappé
Hridyam Arora: Jude Bellingham
Matt Wiltse: Jude Bellingham / Thibaut Courtois
Q: Give us your last season predictions: Standings in La Liga, Copa, and UCL
Sam Leveridge: La Liga – 1st, Copa del Rey – Semi-finals, UCL – Quarter-finals
Lucas Navarrete: La Liga – 1st, Copa del Rey – Champions, UCL- Quarter-finals
Kiyan Sobhani: La Liga – 1st, Copa del Rey – Quarter-finals, UCL- Champions
Mehedi Hassan: La Liga – 1st, Copa del Rey – Champions, UCL: I’d relatively not say
Hridyam Arora: La Liga – 1st, Copa Del Rey – Semi-finals, UCL – Semi-finals
Matt Wiltse: La Liga – 2nd, Copa Del Rey – Champions, UCL – Quarter-finals
