Despite Sunday's loss to Atletico Madrid, which dropped them to fourth in the table, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho still fully believes in his team, noting there is plenty of the season left to play.
Real Madrid's fall in Sunday's derby has not affected Jose Mourinho at all; he still has faith in the team. It is true they are currently in fourth place in LaLiga, 6 points behind the unstoppable Barcelona, but that doesn't distract the coach born in Setúbal. Because what he sees every day in the team's training sessions at Valdebebas keeps his hope alive that the situation will change soon.
It is clear that the number of points separating them from a team like Barça, which, moreover, is in spectacular form, is worrying, but it is also true that it is September and there is too much of the season left ahead. In addition, these first matchdays brought two too-important visits for the merengues: a trip to La Cartuja to face Real Betis and a trip to Atletico de Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Even so, Real Madrid dominated Betis in Seville, and the same lack of precision from the Chamartín side cost them that painful defeat several weeks ago. While against Atletico, it is clear that the team did not play well; only registering three shots on goal in 90 minutes for a team of Madrid's caliber is unacceptable, but the two red cards the referee decided not to show to Lee Kang-in and 'Cuti' Romero ended up tipping the scales for the locals.
That is why 'Mou' sees all this as a natural process of restructuring the team. Unfortunately, the first international break of the season has already arrived, and several important players will be out for two weeks. Now, the priority for the Portuguese and his staff is for the players to return healthy from their international commitments, since the memories of the previous season, when Valdebebas became a hospital, still weigh heavily.
With El Clásico practically a month away, having your best pieces in great physical shape is essential. Hansi Flick's team shows excellent forcefulness and is probably the most efficient team in Europe. Visiting the Camp Nou will be Madrid's most difficult task in the first half of the season, without a doubt. A favorable result there would be gold dust for the Whites.
The main doubt about the Oct. 25 match is whether Vinicius Jr. will start. Many say that in important matches, the players of hierarchy have to come in, which is why the Brazilian started at the Metropolitano, but after a string of matches in which the No. 7 has not offered dangerous plays, becoming more of a transparent or inconsequential player, it could be the perfect opportunity for Yan Diomande or Arda Guler to earn their starting spot.
