Mourinho’s Return to Real Madrid: A Challenging Season Ahead

A new Real Madrid season. A familiar name back on the bench. And a squad list that underlines just how bumpy José Mourinho’s second start in Madrid could be.

Real confirmed their travelling party on Friday for the 2026/27 La Liga opener away to RCD Espanyol, and the headline is clear: injuries are already biting.

Mourinho’s return, with a bruised squad

The Mourinho era 2.0 officially begins this weekend at the RCDE Stadium, but the Portuguese coach walks into a fitness minefield.

Rodrygo, Éder Militão and Raúl Asencio are all out long-term, stripping Real of firepower in attack and stability at the back before a ball has been kicked in the league. Those absences alone would worry most managers.

Then came the next setback.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick have both been left out of the travelling group after recent fitness complaints. Real have chosen not to risk either the midfielder or the young forward for Saturday’s clash, a cautious call that leaves Mourinho without two more high‑profile options.

The message is obvious: this opener will be navigated with a patched-up core and a reshuffled plan.

Door opens for academy hopefuls

Injuries at the top often mean opportunity below, and Madrid’s academy has felt the ripple.

Mario Rivas, Jorge Cestero and Alexis Ciria have all been handed call-ups, their names now sitting on a Real Madrid first-team squad list at the start of a new campaign. For them, Espanyol away is no longer just another match on television; it is a potential launchpad.

Whether they play or not, their presence signals where Madrid are right now: a superclub leaning on its cantera as Mourinho pieces together a workable XI.

A new season, a new old coach, and a squad already stretched. How quickly this group adapts under Mourinho may define far more than just opening day.