Mourinho Faces His First Problem at Real Madrid

Real Madrid are ready to begin their LaLiga campaign, but they will do so under far from ideal circumstances. José Mourinho has already finalized his squad for Saturday’s visit to Espanyol, and injuries have become the Portuguese coach’s first major problem ahead of his official return to the dugout.

Los Blancos will travel to Barcelona with seven absences. Six players are sidelined through injury, while Aurélien Tchouaméni, despite having returned to training with his teammates, is still not ready to compete.

Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Thiago Pitarch, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio and Endrick make up the injury list.

That is a significant number of absences for a Madrid side just beginning its league campaign and looking to avoid any surprises against an Espanyol team that already have three points after winning their opening match.

Mourinho Does Not Want to Take Any Risks With Tchouaméni

Tchouaméni’s situation is different from the rest.

The French midfielder has made positive progress and is already taking part in some training sessions with the group, but Mourinho believes he still needs more time before returning to the squad.

The season has only just begun, and the Portuguese coach does not want to rush his recovery and risk turning it into a bigger problem.

Real Madrid are also still dealing with the effects of a demanding summer marked by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, vacations and the different dates on which their international players returned to Valdebebas.

The challenge now will be to compete while gradually recovering players.

La Fábrica Steps Up Amid the Injury Crisis

The injuries also create an opportunity for the youngsters.

Mario Rivas, Alexis Ciria and Chema Cestero have been included in the squad and will be available for the match against Espanyol.

Mourinho had already indicated that he would turn to La Fábrica whenever necessary. His intention is to manage a squad in which the academy players can become genuine alternatives during a long season filled with matches.

The current situation represents exactly that kind of opportunity.

With seven players unavailable, every option could prove important.

Six New Signings Could Make Their Official Debuts

The match could also mark the beginning of a new chapter for several new faces at Real Madrid.

Yan Diomande, Carlos Espí, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella and Denzel Dumfries are all included in the squad and could play their first official minutes in a white shirt.

Preseason produced some encouraging signs, particularly after the 3-0 victory over Schalke 04 at the VELTINS-Arena, but now the matches that truly count are about to begin.

Mourinho also made that clear after the final preseason test: friendlies are one thing, but competing for points is something completely different.

And his return will begin with a demanding test.

Thirteen years after his previous spell, José Mourinho will once again manage Real Madrid in an official match. He will do so against Espanyol, away from home and with a squad hit hard by injuries.

Madrid have enough quality and depth to compete, but beginning LaLiga with seven important absences is far from the scenario Mourinho would have chosen.