The white team played their first pre-season friendly in Valdebebas, with a starting eleven that showcased José Mourinho's initial ideas. Arda Güler missed a penalty during the media-accessible segment.
Real Madrid began their journey in the 2026-2027 pre-season this Friday with a friendly match against Alcorcón at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano in Valdebebas. The match, the first under José Mourinho's management upon his return to the white bench, provided images for analysis: a starting eleven with several new faces and a missed penalty by Arda Güler that marked the first controversial play of the new cycle.
The Portuguese coach fielded a team combining veterans and youth. Lunin was the goalkeeper; the defence consisted of Trent, Asencio, Huijsen, and Carreras; the midfield was occupied by Camavinga, Cesteros, and Güler; and the attack was completed by Mastantuono, Gonzalo, and Gabri Valero. The formation, a 4-2-3-1, placed Camavinga and Cesteros as double pivots, with Gabri Valero and Mastantuono wide on the flanks, Güler as the attacking midfielder, and Gonzalo as the offensive reference.
In the opening minutes, Real Madrid dominated and created the clearest chance of the start. Franco Mastantuono, in an individual action down the wing, earned a penalty that the referee awarded without hesitation. Arda Güler was the designated penalty taker, but the Turk failed to beat the Alcorcón goalkeeper, who guessed the trajectory and saved the shot.
The miss from the spot became the highlight of the media-accessible segment, which lasted approximately half an hour. From that moment on, the coaching staff ordered the remainder of the match to be played behind closed doors, so no further incidents could be followed live. The final result of the friendly did not emerge, although the focus was on the initial tactical impressions and the individual performances of the players.
For Real Madrid fans, this friendly represents the first contact with Mourinho's new era. The Portuguese coach, who previously managed the team between 2010 and 2013, returns with the mission of bringing the club back to the pinnacle of European football. The pre-season will include several more matches before the start of the league, which will begin in mid-August.
The match against Alcorcón served as a litmus test for the young talents. The presence of Cesteros, Mastantuono, and Gabri Valero in the starting eleven indicates that Mourinho wants to give opportunities to the youth academy. The inclusion of Huijsen, a 19-year-old centre-back, who partnered with Asencio, also stood out.
The club has not confirmed whether there will be more open-door friendlies. What is clear is that the team will continue its preparation at Ciudad Real Madrid, with training sessions and trial matches. The next encounter could be against a more significant opponent, although no date has been confirmed yet.
For fans who could not witness the match, the most notable detail is Güler's missed penalty. The 21-year-old Turk joined Real Madrid in 2023 with the label of a young promise, but he has yet to establish himself in the first team. Mourinho trusted him to take the penalty, but the miss could undermine his confidence for upcoming commitments.
The pre-season is a time for experiments, but also for initial conclusions. Mourinho's eleven against Alcorcón suggests that the coach is opting for an offensive scheme, with long full-backs and plenty of movement in the attacking front. The next test will serve to confirm whether these ideas persist or if the Portuguese introduces variations.
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