Mourinho’s Madrid Opens Preseason with Experimental XI

Real Madrid eased into their preseason with a low-key but revealing friendly against Alcorcón, and José Mourinho wasted no time showing his hand. This was no gentle jog in a 4-3-3. He went straight to a 4-2-3-1, a structure that told you exactly where he wants the team’s spine to be built.

Eduardo Camavinga and Cestero anchored the double pivot, the Frenchman dictating tempo from deep while his partner held the line beside him. Ahead of them, Arda Güler operated as the classic No. 10, floating between the lines, always looking for that final pass. Gonzalo led the line as the central striker, with Valero and Mastantuono stretching the pitch from the flanks.

At the back, the shape was just as intriguing. Trent Alexander-Arnold started at right-back, given license to step into midfield and influence the build-up. Huijsen and Asencio formed the central pairing, with Carreras on the left. Lunin took his place in goal, offering a calm presence behind a back four still learning each other’s movements.

The opening 25 minutes, the only portion of the match open to the media, brought the first real flashpoint. Mastantuono, direct and fearless on the wing, drove into the box and drew a penalty. It felt like the perfect early script: young creator wins the foul, Güler steps up to mark the new era with a clean strike from the spot.

Alcorcón’s goalkeeper had other ideas. He read Güler’s attempt, saved it, and with it denied Madrid the early breakthrough that would have neatly wrapped Mourinho’s first public outing of the summer.

The miss didn’t break Madrid’s structure, but it did underline how early in the process this team still is. Movements were promising, the ideas clear, the execution not yet sharp. The first half closed at 0-0, with the scoreline flat but the notebook full.

Now comes the part Mourinho relishes in July: changes, tests, and chances for the hungry. The second half is expected to bring a wave of substitutions, with Castilla players stepping in to soak up serious minutes while the established names build fitness in the background. Preseason might not hand out trophies, but it does hand out opportunities — and this Madrid squad has plenty of players ready to grab them.