Real Madrid Are Already Feeling Mourinho’s Demands
Preseason is beginning to shift gears for Real Madrid. After the first friendly matches and with the start of competitive action getting closer, José Mourinho has decided to significantly increase the intensity at Valdebebas.
The Portuguese coach had already issued a warning after the match against Deportivo La Coruña: it was time to get serious.
And it appears he meant it.
The latest session combined a heavy physical workload with tactical drills and ball work, a clear indication that Mourinho wants to start pushing the team toward the level of intensity he expects this season.
Mourinho Turns Up the Intensity at Valdebebas
According to information released by Real Madrid, the session began in the gym before the players moved onto the pitch.
That was when the most demanding work began.
The players completed several physical drills without the ball before moving on to tactical work. They then worked on pressing, combination play, ball carrying and finishing.
This is not simply about regaining fitness after the summer break.
Mourinho wants to use every training session to begin implementing his ideas. Pressing, intensity when trying to win the ball back and the speed to attack immediately after recovering possession all require coordination, but also a high level of physical preparation.
And the Portuguese coach knows that time is beginning to run short.
Endrick Works in the Gym
The session also featured several absences.
Endrick remained in the gym due to muscle overload. The issue is not believed to be serious, but the coaching staff preferred not to take any risks with the Brazilian forward.
Aurélien Tchouaméni and Raúl Asencio, meanwhile, completed individual work both indoors and on the pitch.
There are still several other names on the injury list.
Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Thiago continue with their respective recovery programs and have yet to return to normal training with the rest of the squad.
It is a situation that forces Mourinho to carefully manage workloads while increasing the demands on the players who are available.
Schalke 04 Are the Next Test
Real Madrid will return to training on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., after which Mourinho will announce his squad for the team’s next preseason friendly.
Los Blancos will travel to Germany to face Schalke 04 on Sunday, August 16.
It will be another opportunity to measure the team’s progress and, above all, begin seeing the results of these more demanding training sessions on the field.
The adjustment period appears to be coming to an end.
Mourinho has already had his first matches to observe, experiment and draw conclusions. Now, a different phase begins.
More intensity, more tactical work and greater physical demands.
The message at Valdebebas appears clear: Mourinho means business, and he wants his Real Madrid to do the same.
