Overview
- Real Madrid’s travelling squad for the LaLiga opener includes all six summer signings: Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Carlos Espí, Yan Diomandé and Bernardo Silva.
- Key first-team players are unavailable or not risked for selection because of fitness issues, including Endrick, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Éder Militão, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
- José Mourinho has promoted several academy players—Mario Rivas, Alexis Ciria and Jorge Cestero—after using an unbeaten preseason to assess youth options and new tactics.
- The club completed a controlled, behind-closed-doors integration of coaching staff and signings in preseason, during which Mourinho tested a 4-2-3-1 shape and focused on defensive and fitness improvements.
- Early competitive lineups are likely to differ from Mourinho’s long-term preferred XI as he balances debuting signings, managing recovery timetables and rotating to protect players’ fitness.