Real Madrid Squad for Malaga Trip: Mourinho's Youth Call-ups

José Mourinho has confirmed his Real Madrid squad for Sunday’s La Liga clash with Malaga, and once again it comes with notable absences and a heavy dose of youth.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick both miss out for a second straight match, each sidelined by separate physical issues that continue to shape Mourinho’s early-season plans. The coach has turned to the academy to plug the gaps, calling up Mario Rivas, Sicetero and Alexis Ceria from the youth ranks.

Tchouaméni’s situation remains a concern inside the club. Since returning from the leave granted to him after the World Cup, the midfielder has been hampered by persistent pain and has managed only a few appearances with the first team. Now he drops out of contention again, just as Madrid look to build rhythm in the third round of the league campaign.

Endrick’s case is different. The young forward is following a tailored programme aimed at keeping him clear of physical problems across the entire season. That cautious approach keeps him out of the squad for the Malaga trip, as Real Madrid’s medical and technical staff look at the long-term picture rather than short-term fixes.

At the back, Raúl Asencio also misses out due to shin trouble, trimming Mourinho’s defensive options on top of an already crowded treatment room. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Thiago Pitarch are all unavailable as well, leaving the coach to lean on his depth and the club’s production line of young talent.

The call-ups of Mario Rivas, Sicetero and Alexis Ceria underline that reliance. Rivas, listed among the defenders, offers extra cover across the back line, while Sicetero and Alexis Ceria bolster a midfield that still carries plenty of star power despite the injuries.

Even with the absentees, Mourinho travels with a squad stacked with headline names. Thibaut Courtois, Lunin and Javi Navarro form the goalkeeping unit. In defence, the options include Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Carreras, Rüdiger, Dumfries and Mario Rivas. The midfield group features Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva, Sicetero and Alexis Ceria.

A patched-up Real Madrid, then, but hardly a weakened one on paper. The question now is whether this mix of established stars and fresh faces can keep pace in La Liga while key figures work their way back to full fitness.