Mourinho’s Experimental XI in Real Madrid’s Preseason Opener
Real Madrid eased into their first preseason outing against Alcorcón with a side that looked more like a laboratory than a settled team sheet, José Mourinho using the friendly to test shape, partnerships and nerve under the summer sun.
He set them up in a 4-2-3-1, but this was no cautious, sit-and-wait version. Eduardo Camavinga and Cestero anchored the midfield, asked to both protect and launch, while a youthful and creative line of three floated ahead of them. Arda Güler operated as the classic No. 10, pulling strings behind Gonzalo, with Valero and Mastantuono stretching the pitch from the wings.
At the back, the names underlined the experimental feel. Trent Alexander-Arnold started at right-back, encouraged to step high and influence the build-up. Huijsen and Asencio formed the central pairing, with Carreras patrolling the left. Behind them, Lunin took his place in goal, tasked with marshalling a back line that had likely never played together in this exact configuration.
For 25 minutes, with the session open to the press, Madrid pushed. The clearest chance came from the liveliest outlet: Mastantuono. His direct running forced a penalty, a glimpse of the aggression Mourinho demands in the final third. Güler stepped up, calm and central to Madrid’s creative play, but his spot-kick was turned away by Alcorcón’s goalkeeper, a sharp reminder that preseason rust does not spare anyone.
That miss set the tone for a first half that carried intent but lacked a finish. Madrid moved the ball, tried to pin Alcorcón back, and looked to feed Gonzalo between the lines, yet the final action never quite matched the buildup. The whistle came with the score locked at 0-0, a goalless opening act but a useful one for Mourinho’s notebook.
The second half will almost certainly belong to the wider squad. Mourinho is expected to turn to his Castilla players, handing them heavy minutes while the established names manage their workloads and build fitness. For the youngsters, this is not just a friendly; it is an early audition in front of a coach who rarely forgets who seizes an opportunity in July.
