Madrid's defensive issues exposed in friendly draw
Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid will look to bolster its defence after he watched his side blow a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Serie A side Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly on Sunday (AEST).
Los Blancos got off to a fine start with Endrick firing home on 12 minutes before Alexis Ciria doubled the lead on 24 minutes, but Fiorentina hit back through Roberto Piccoli just before half-time and substitute Moise Kean levelled with a headed goal on 58 minutes.
Mourinho's frustration showed at the final whistle, and he has repeatedly insisted that his squad needs defensive reinforcements, and that seemed evident here.
For the match against Fiorentina, Dean Huijsen was unavailable because of a minor physical issue, joining Raul Asencio on the treatment table.
Antonio Rudiger is still working his way back to full fitness and Eder Militao is still months away from a return after surgery to a serious hamstring injury that ruled him out of Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Madrid has made one new signing at the back in Ibrahima Konate, but he has been unavailable in pre-season after his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with semi-finalist France.
Mourinho has been forced to rely on his academy players at the back, using youngsters Lamini Fati and Joan Martínez as his temporary centre-back pairing during pre-season.
“It was a Madrid with three faces: fresh, tired, and super tired," Mourinho said after the draw qith Fiorentina.
"The fresh team played very well, and the 2-1 scoreline at half-time was far too short. The first half was of very high quality, and we could have been leading three or four to nil comfortably. In the second half, the game became more physical against a typically Italian team with great physicality. They applied some pressure, and the second face started to show at the beginning of the second half.”
“After that, we saw Moise Kean playing in the area against two 18-year-olds, who had a great game and are growing, but physically, they are not yet at the level to handle someone like Moise, who is a fantastic player."
Mourinho paired Trent Alexander-Arnold with another new face in Denzel Dumfries as his full-backs, but minimal preparation for this match and absentees made life difficult for his side.
"I had to pair Trent and Dumfries together and try to find a dynamic that would allow this style of play," Mourinho said.
"We only worked yesterday in preparation for the match because the goal is not to work on just one game. We did a little organisational work to have a team that knows what to do on the field. I am very happy with the work of the boys from day one.”
Mourinho admitted he was frustrated not to have his full sqaud available, but revealed many will return next week to give him a chance to prepare more seriously for what lies ahead, which is Madrid challenging for every trophy available after winning nothing last season.
“On Monday, Vini Junior, Brahim [Diaz], and Bernardo [Silva] will arrive," the Portuguese said.
"Dumfries, Carlos, and Endrick will already have a few more days of work. Little by little, until the boys who played in the [2026 FIFA] World Cup semi-finals and final arrive, with the final being only [Marc] Cucurella.”
