Safi – Real Madrid named a 23-man squad on Friday for José Mourinho’s first competitive match in charge, ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga opener away to Espanyol.
The club’s six summer arrivals all made the list and could make their competitive debuts for Real Madrid. Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Yan Diomande, and Carlos Espí were named alongside Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham.
Morocco international Brahim Díaz was among the five forwards selected. He had faced competition for a place in Mourinho’s attack, and Spanish daily AS reported during pre-season that he was emerging as a favored option on the right flank.
Three youth-team players completed the group. “Tomorrow, three will be on the bench: Rivas, Cestero and Ciria,” Mourinho told reporters, adding that the academy was “filling these open spots and working very well with us.”
Mourinho plays down the absences
“The only player unavailable for this match is Endrick, who has a minor muscle issue,” the coach said.
Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raúl Asencio, and Thiago Pitarch also missed out as they continue their recoveries.
Aurélien Tchouaméni returned to training but was not selected. “Tchouaméni is fine and already training with the team,” Mourinho noted.
The coach pointed to uneven workloads across his squad. “There are players with 36 training sessions and six matches, and others with five training sessions and a bit of a game,” he observed.
Mourinho was presented on Tuesday on a contract until June 30, 2029. His team finished pre-season unbeaten, with five wins and a draw in six friendlies.
“We are super prepared for what we are going to face. We have studied them as thoroughly as possible,” Mourinho told the pre-match press conference. “I have great confidence in the ambition of the players and their mentality.”
The match will kick off at Cornellà at 21:30 Spanish time.
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