The likely Real Madrid lineup to face Malaga, according to the sports press
Unless there is a last-minute setback, Mourinho will have the same 19 players as in the previous two matchdays. The return of Tchouameni, -something that in recent weeks had been speculated could already be the case-, will have to wait. At the club they do not want to take any risks with the pivot and will go step by step. There are plenty of points of agreement in what the press is saying: there will be few changes despite the short turnaround between matches. The main doubt is shared: will Cucurella start instead of Carreras? Trent is also not ruled out for Dumfries, but the Dutchman starts as the favorite to be named in the starting XI in most outlets.
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid fans play their second home match with the aim of putting in an as complete performance as the one they delivered in the second half against the Real Sociedad. The Bernabeu really enjoyed it, and they want to keep going in that direction. The green shoots were clear: much better physical condition, control of the game, and a very serious defense that only faltered in the first and only goal they conceded.
Mourinho still, logically, does not have available the long-term injured players such as Rodrygo, Militao, Mendy and Asencio. He is also without Endrick and Pitarch due to muscle problems and a knee injury, respectively, and the aforementioned Tchouameni, -who is approaching the final stretch of his recovery-.
The backbone takes shape: 9 repeat
All the media agree on this. There will be no changes in goal, in the defensive line, in midfield, or up front. Which means that Courtuois, Hujsen, Konaté, Bernardo Silva, Valverde, Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius and Mbappé would repeat in the starting XI.
The left-back spot is the most obvious doubt, with Marc Cucurella . "Cucu" has arrived to be very prominent in this new Mourinho Real Madrid, and starting him is only a matter of time, especially after playing 45 minutes against the Real.
El Desmarque, doubtful on both full-back spots
The only question from El Desmarque is whether Carreras will get the better of Cucurella again and whether Dumfries will continue to own the right-back position. The rest, with no news, although the system they lean toward is a 4-3-3.
The XI they propose is: Courtuois; Dumfries/ Trent, Hujsen, Konaté, Konaté, Carreras/ Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Fede Valverde, Bellingham; Güler, Vinicus and Mbappé.
Eurosport puts Trent Alexander Arnold in from the start and sets up a 4-2-3-1
They have it clear: Cucurella is ready to start. Trent, meanwhile, will take the right-back role, replacing Dumfries. The rest of the positions stay the same.
Eurosport's XI is: Courtuois; Trent, Hujsen, Konaté, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Valverde; Bellingham, Güler, Vinicus, Mbappé.
Sport Illustrated opts for a continuation path: Carreras and Dumfries, back in the XI
The standout performance from most of the players in the previous matchday leads one to think that they should not change too many pieces. Not only did they see the Dean Hujsen who won over Real Madrid fans on his arrival, or that Konaté confirmed that intensity is non-negotiable and that he is incredibly reliable, but it was also possible to identify the best Valverde and, above all, the BMV worked as hardly anyone remembers it doing. If Mourinho can get his attacking trio to click, success will eventually come. It is one of his main missions and maybe, the most important one.
Sport Illustrated's starting lineup would be: Courtuois; Dumfries, Hujsen, Konaté, Carreras; Bernardo Silva, Valverde; Bellingham, Güler, Vinicus, Mbappé.
AS only considers one rotation: everything the same, except the left-back
Despite what you might think at first when looking at the calendar, against Malaga there will be almost the same protagonists as in the two matches already played. Performance and meritocracy have made Güler the owner of the right flank again, and his partner remains Dumfries, who has the edge over Trent. At least, for now. Valverde and Bernardo have given Mourinho and his coaching staff no reason to doubt, just as Konaté and Hujsen have not. That said, Cucurella will be safe. Vini, Bellhingam and Mbappé have their places secured. Now and (almost) always.
AS XI: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Güler, Bellingham, Vinicius; and Mbappé
The possible Real Madrid XI that Comuniate is going for
Based on what has been seen this week and the absence of setbacks, Comuniate lines up almost 100% in line with the rest of the media, -although there remains a sliver of doubt at the full-back positions-. Comuniate's bet is as follows:
Courtuois; Dumfries, Hujsen, Konaté, Cucurella; Bernardo Silva, Fede Valverde, Bellingham, Arda Güler, Vinicus and Mbappé.
In Real Madrid terms, Mourinho gives some clues
The Portuguese coach has resolved the big unknown: Cucurella will start. "There are players with different pre-season schedules. Cucurella will be a starter. If he runs out of gas, we have Álvaro".
He also wanted to clarify that the limited role of Yan Diomandé so far depends on the fact that his arrival has been delayed quite a bit and that in Leipzig he did not train. "Little by little he will grow. He is increasingly prepared".
Because the truth is that Diomandé is coming to start. The investment and the trust placed in him leave no room for anything else. Or at least, that is how it looks on paper. Real Madrid's most expensive signing in history has to justify at least a good part of what it cost. The right flank has been "fatherless" in terms of quality for a long time at the Madrid club, both due to the inconsistency of Rodrygo and his subsequent injury, and because of the failed bet on Mastantuono. The young Ivorian is the biggest bet they have seen in a long time, and that should be reflected on the pitch. All in due time.
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