Real Madrid have gone into the Madrid derby with a selection call that trusts the biggest names. Jose Mourinho has dropped his confirmed XI, with Arda Güler, Denzel Dumfries, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé all starting, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is benched. The same team sheet leaves Yan Diomande out as well.
Guler's case for the start
The numbers point to Guler being picked on form, not reputation. He has created 27 chances in La Liga this season, more than twice as many as Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior on 13 each. That is a big gap, and it explains why Mourinho has restored him on the right side for Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid.
The wider debate inside Madrid is whether Guler or Vinícius is the more important creative outlet right now. Guler has the cleaner chance-creation profile, but Vinícius still brings output, with one goal and three assists in seven appearances across all competitions. On current league numbers, Guler has been the more productive creator.
Mbappe remains the main threat
Mbappé stays the obvious focal point. He has seven La Liga goals this season and an 8.69 rating, which is a strong return for a derby where Atlético Madrid usually force the game into tight spaces. Bellingham also keeps his place after a 7.93 rating, so Mourinho has not turned this into a patch-up side.
Diego Simeone has already set the tone on the other touchline. Speaking to si.com, he said: "I have huge respect for Mourinho," and added: "I’ve been an admirer of his for a long time, I’ve followed him and watched him. He knows the regard I have for him."
The selection looks like a gamble only if you expected rotation. Mourinho has gone the other way and backed the players who have driven Madrid’s attack most clearly, with Guler and Mbappé at the heart of it.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
