Jose Mourinho's first look at Real Madrid was more useful for the shape than the scoreline. The team opened in a 4-2-3-1, with Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler in midfield and Güler as the number 10. Franco Mastantuono was the sharpest attacker in the early stages, and his work on the penalty won Güler the first-half spot-kick chance.

Güler's effort was low and saved. Later on, Daniel Yañez converted the second penalty to seal a 1-0 win over Alcorcon, but the more interesting part was where Mourinho put Güler. This was not a wide starting role or a passenger's job on the flank. It was a central assignment, and that lines up with the way Güler has produced when Madrid have trusted him closer to the ball.

Güler's central case

Güler created 3.68 chances per 90 before his season-ending injury, and he finished last season with 14 assists in 51 appearances. He also added 6 goals. Those numbers are the case for using him as a creator rather than asking him to live off touches in wide areas.

Güler has said as much himself. Speaking to managingmadrid.com, he said: "I can adapt to any position. If the team needs me on the wing I can play there, but for me it's better if I play in midfield because from there I can touch the ball more." A member of Mourinho's coaching staff was even blunter, telling madriduniversal.com: "Guler is flying!"

The penalty miss should not be overread, because Güler had scored all 7 penalties he had taken in his career before this one. Still, the miss was a reminder that a central role brings more moments where the game runs through him. The evidence from this friendly points in the same direction as the season numbers: Madrid get more from Güler when he is asked to be the connector.

Mastantuono's early claim for minutes

Mastantuono did the first bit of damage, winning the foul that led to the opening spot-kick. He also looked the most aggressive attacker on the pitch in the opening exchanges. In a pre-season test that featured around 70 minutes for the first-team players before the youth players took over, that was enough to stand out.

For Mourinho, the shape was the clearest clue. For Güler, the position was the message. For Mastantuono, the liveliest actions came before the game settled down. Real Madrid now have another friendly in which to test that structure, but the first one already showed where the central questions are likely to sit.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →