José Mourinho returns to the Bernabéu after 13 years

The stadium has been rebuilt, Real Madrid have lifted six more Champions League trophies and several different projects have passed through the club. José Mourinho has waited 4,834 days to sit in the Bernabéu home dugout again. On Wednesday night, the clock finally stops.

Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in their postponed Matchday 1 fixture in La Liga. Kick-off is scheduled for 9pm CEST. It will be Madrid’s first home match of the season and Mourinho’s first appearance at the Bernabéu as the club’s coach since 1 June 2013.

His team defeated Osasuna 4-2 that afternoon. Mourinho left after a season filled with tension, whistles and a divided stadium. He now returns presenting a calmer version of himself. The Bernabéu has not yet had the opportunity to test how durable that calm really is.

Mourinho insisted before the game that he does not want a special reception. He wants the supporters to welcome the team and help rebuild the connection damaged during the closing stages of last season.

“I don’t want the Bernabéu to receive me in a particular way,” Mourinho said. “I want it to receive the team as its team, as its passion. I am not important.”

It is a modest message for an evening that will inevitably revolve around him. The cameras will follow his walk from the tunnel, the reaction from the stands and probably every movement he makes on the touchline. Mourinho may not consider himself the main character, but the television director is unlikely to agree.

Madrid began their league season with a 2-1 victory away to Espanyol. Jude Bellingham scored from an Arda Güler delivery before Carlos Espí found the late winner. The points were secured, although the performance also showed the physical differences within a squad whose World Cup players returned at different stages of preseason.

Mourinho has acknowledged that several members of his squad are not yet at full fitness. Bellingham is among those being managed carefully after he was unable to complete the full match against Espanyol.

Raúl Asencio, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick are absent from the squad. Tchouaméni is still recovering from the problems he carried through the World Cup, while Endrick has minor inflammation close to a tendon. Madrid are treating the Brazilian’s condition cautiously to prevent a more serious injury. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo also remain unavailable.

The main selection question concerns the right wing. AS reports that Güler currently has a better chance of starting than Yan Diomande, although Madrid’s record signing is expected to receive minutes from the bench. Moving Güler deeper to accommodate both players remains an option, but it is considered less likely.

Marc Cucurella is expected to make his first start at left-back. Bernardo Silva should continue alongside Federico Valverde in midfield, with Bellingham, Vinícius and probably Güler supporting Kylian Mbappé.

Real Sociedad arrive after losing their opening game 1-0 to Real Betis. Pellegrino Matarazzo will be without Álvaro Odriozola, Pablo Marín and Jon Gorrotxategi. Mikel Goti and Jon Karrikaburu have also been left out for tactical reasons.

Mikel Oyarzabal’s place in the starting line-up remains uncertain after his delayed return from the World Cup. The captain has travelled and could partner Orri Óskarsson in attack. Matarazzo must also decide between Ander Barrenetxea and Gonçalo Guedes.

Predicted Real Madrid line-up: Courtois; Dumfries, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bernardo Silva; Güler, Bellingham, Vinícius; Mbappé.

Predicted Real Sociedad line-up: Remiro; Aramburu, Jon Martín, Zubeldia, Sergio Gómez; Yangel Herrera, Carlos Soler, Kubo, Sučić; Oyarzabal, Óskarsson.

Real Madrid versus Real Sociedad kicks off at 9pm CEST on Wednesday, 26 August.

Thirteen years ago, Mourinho left the Bernabéu surrounded by exhaustion and conflict. He now returns as the man expected to wake up both the team and the stadium. He says the darker side of his personality is under control. The first official test takes place tonight.