Real Madrid Wraps Up Preseason With a 4-2-3-1 Mourinho Now Treats as Non-Negotiable

Two wins, one draw and a handful of new certainties. That's how José Mourinho's Real Madrid wraps up preseason, with the sense that the team is starting to resemble what the Portuguese coach has in mind. Saturday brings the official LaLiga opener against Espanyol, and before that it's worth reviewing what this month and a half of work has produced.

The preseason friendly record includes wins over Ferencvaros and Schalke 04, a draw against Fiorentina and two additional wins in training matches against Alcorcón and Leganés. Mourinho, who returned to the club to end two seasons without a trophy, used these weeks to give debuts to all six new signings: Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, Bernardo Silva, Carlos Espí and Yan Diomande. The coach's message has been the same at every press conference: he wants a team with character, one willing to sacrifice some individual flair for the sake of collective work.

Goodbye 4-3-3, Hello Double Pivot

The first conclusion is obvious just from looking at the whiteboard: Madrid is leaving behind the 4-3-3 of recent seasons to settle into a 4-2-3-1. The double pivot showed up in every friendly, so everything points to it being non-negotiable for Mourinho. The question is who makes it up. Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Bernardo Silva rotated through that role, though it's worth noting Aurélien Tchouaméni couldn't take part because of a physical issue. With all four competing for two spots, Bernardo and Valverde look best positioned to start on Saturday.

Further forward, in the attacking midfield spot, Arda Güler has earned a different role than the one he had last season under Xabi Alonso, when he played in a deeper position. Mourinho sees him as a true No. 10, though it remains to be seen how he'll split minutes there once Jude Bellingham returns to his best form. The Englishman joined preseason later after his strong World Cup with England and so played less, but no one doubts he'll fight for that spot once he's back to full fitness.

Center Back, Right Back: Pieces Still to Fit Together

The back line remains a puzzle. For nearly all of preseason, Mourinho could only count on Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger as fit center backs on the roster, which explains the club's insistence on pursuing another signing at that position. Éder Militão isn't back until October and his physical level is a question mark, while Raúl Asencio hasn't fully convinced people inside the club as a reliable center back option. Huijsen, for his part, had a standout preseason, and Konaté's emergence, with promising minutes against Schalke, gives Mourinho a serious alternative while Militão recovers and Rüdiger serves as backup.

At right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries split starts without it becoming clear who opens the season as the regular starter. Dumfries was an explicit request from Mourinho and has the edge in more physical matchups, while Trent has been tested in more interior zones to help speed up buildup play. According to sources consulted by ESPN, that split could continue through the season: Trent getting more minutes at the Bernabéu and Dumfries on the road.

Bernardo as the Brain, Espí as the Box Option

The failed Rodri signing has also left its mark on this team. Without a genuine defensive midfielder brought in from the market, Bernardo Silva looks set to take on that organizing role. The Portuguese international dazzled in his first matches in white, playing in the double pivot with the vision and combination play this Madrid side had been missing. Another signing at that position hasn't been ruled out, but Mourinho has already made clear he sees Bernardo as a key piece of his midfield.

And then there's Carlos Espí, the box striker who arrived after Gonzalo's departure to Fulham and earned his place through pure performance: two goals in friendlies, strong aerial play and constant support for the wingers. His profile recalls the gap left by Joselu, and at Valdebebas the belief is that he'll be important for breaking down stubborn defenses, somewhat similar to what Emmanuel Adebayor represented during Mourinho's first stint at the club.