Mourinho Has Four Untouchables
Pre-season was supposed to provide José Mourinho with answers, and he appears to have found at least four of them. According to an analysis by AS, the Portuguese coach intends to build Real Madrid’s attack around Ousmane Diomande, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé.
The preferred formation is expected to be a 4-2-3-1. Mbappé will lead the line, Vinícius will start from the left and Diomande will bring pace and direct running from the opposite wing. Bellingham is set to operate between them as the attacking midfielder, returning to the area of the pitch where he produced his best football during his first season in Madrid.
The four players have not yet appeared together. Diomande, Bellingham and Mbappé joined pre-season late following their World Cup campaigns, forcing Mourinho to manage their minutes carefully. Mbappé played the first half of the final friendly against Schalke, while the other late arrivals came on after the break. For around 25 minutes, Diomande, Bellingham and Vinícius formed the line behind Carlos Espí.
Mourinho explained after the game that playing time had been determined through physical data and feedback from the players themselves. He had no intention of rushing footballers who had completed only a handful of training sessions. A league season starts once; a badly managed injury can remain for considerably longer.
Real Madrid still finished their official pre-season schedule with three victories and one draw. The final test ended in a convincing 3-0 win over Schalke, with Mbappé, Dean Huijsen and Carlos Espí scoring. AS also included two closed-door training matches in its assessment, producing an overall record of five wins, one draw and 243 consecutive minutes without conceding.
The most important conclusion is not the record itself but the increasingly clear division of responsibilities. Mbappé will be the primary finisher. Vinícius retains his freedom on the left, Bellingham returns closer to the penalty area and Diomande stretches opposing defences on the right.
It is a front four containing very different profiles. Mbappé and Vinícius can exchange positions, Bellingham can attack the gaps they create, while Diomande offers width and acceleration on the other side. Mourinho is not simply attempting to squeeze his biggest names into one team. The formation is being designed around what they do best.
Their status does not eliminate competition. Arda Güler started all six pre-season tests and registered two assists. Brahim Díaz provides another option on the right, while Endrick and Carlos Espí will compete for opportunities up front. The players behind the expected starters have done enough to ensure that the hierarchy cannot become comfortable.
There are still questions in defence and midfield, but Real Madrid’s attacking plan is becoming clear. Diomande, Bellingham, Vinícius and Mbappé are expected to form the first line of Mourinho’s team. They have yet to share the pitch, but on paper there may not be a more intimidating attacking quartet in Europe.
