Mourinho’s tactical shifts and youth integration define early pre-season
A fitness-focused friendly at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano highlighted Eduardo Camavinga’s influence and Franco Mastantuono’s promise, while Trent Alexander-Arnold faced scrutiny over accuracy.
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory against Primera RFEF side Alcorcón at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano, with Dani Yáñez scoring the winning penalty in the second half. The match served as a fitness-building exercise for players not involved in the summer World Cup, featuring a squad largely composed of Castilla and youth team players. Manager Jose Mourinho utilised a 4-3-3 formation, observing tactical versatility with Arda Güler stepping forward at times. Key observations included Eduardo Camavinga’s influential midfield performance, Franco Mastantuono’s lively display on the right flank, and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s struggles with accuracy and possession.
The first 20 minutes of the match were open to journalists and viewers on Real Madrid TV, providing a limited window into the new managerial setup. The starting lineup featured Andriy Lunin in goal, with a defensive unit of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Raúl Asencio, and Álvaro Carreras. The midfield and attacking lines included Thiago Cestero, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo García, and Gabri Valero. Club sources confirmed that the players on the field at the final whistle were all from Castilla or the youth teams.
Mourinho deployed a 4-3-3 shape, a system that worked well during his previous stint at the club, though he operated more regularly with a 4-2-3-1 with Benfica last season. The formation shifted at times to resemble a 4-2-3-1, with Güler stepping forward ahead of Cestero and Camavinga. This tactical flexibility was evident early on, particularly when Güler took a penalty in the second minute. Although he has a 100% penalty record in his career, his attempt was saved by Alcorcón goalkeeper Oriol Martí, marking the first recorded penalty save for the 26-year-old keeper.
Franco Mastantuono was described by club sources as the best individual performer, winning the penalty that led to Yáñez’s winner. With Rodrygo sidelined with a long-term knee injury and Brahim Díaz yet to return after the World Cup, this summer presents an opportunity for the Argentine teenager to stake a claim. Mastantuono was lively down the right flank, showing confidence and influence in a strong first audition, despite facing tougher tests ahead.
In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga operated as a lone pivot, influencing build-up play and dropping deep to operate like a quarterback in the middle of the midfield three. Conversely, Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled with accuracy in long balls and lost possession due to poor touch in one-twos. The right-back’s performance comes amid reports linking the club with RB Leipzig’s Yann Diamonde and the signing of Denzel Dumfries to compete for the position, suggesting a challenging environment for Alexander-Arnold to secure his place.
