Mourinho Real Madrid is off to a transformative start in 2026/27, with wins over Espanyol, Real Sociedad, Málaga, Inter Milan and Rayo Vallecano — though defeats to Betis and Atlético expose issues the Special One is still solving.
Table of Contents
How Jose Mourinho Real Madrid Compares to Last Season
Comparison between last year’s Real Madrid vs Jose Mourinho Real Madrid 2026:
Last Season 25/26:
1. Under Xabi Alonso, more positional based system at Madrid
2. More Structured 4-3-3 system initially by Xabi
3. Bellingham, Tchouameni and Valverde was tasked to control the game in midfield along with defensive responsibilities
4. Later Alvaro Arbeloa took over, and the system became more flexible. By the end of the season 25/26, Arbeloa used different shapes particularly 4-4-2
5. Bellingham or Valverde would play just behind the attacker Kylian Mbappe
6. Accumulated 86 points with 27 wins, 6 defeats and 5 draws, finishing second behind Barcelona by 8 points
Jose Mourinho Real Madrid 2026:
Jose Mourinho returns to Real Madrid after 13 years. However the personnel and football environment are completely different now but Mourinho himself says “The idea doesn’t necessarily change even when the profiles change. The balance and movements remain while the roles can change according to the players”.
That alone says a lot on what we can expect from Madrid this season. So how is Mourinho transforming Real once again:
1. Mourinho has a settled system 4-2-3-1, a break from the shape-shifting under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa last season
2. Some brilliant signings in the summer transfer window, bringing in players like – Cucurella, Konaté, Dumfries, Bernardo Silva all signed to fit into 4-2-3-1 system
3. Double pivot behind an attacking midfielder/No.10. Mourinho is changing the roles inside that 4-2-3-1. He explained, depending on the players and opponent, the midfield can change between a structure with a No.10 and one with a No.6 plus two No.8s
4. Jude Bellingham is used differently. Mourinho doesn’t want Bellingham to drop too deep in the build up play instead he has reorganised the team so Jude has a clearer role. Mourinho is trying to give him clearer positional responsibilities and preserve his attacking influence
5. Squad Rotation is much more aggresive. Mourinho isn’t treating the squad as a fixed XI at the moment as Real Madrid has too many high quality options
6. Mourinho wants defensive responsibility from attackers. This is classic Mourinho when it comes to defending. He wants players like Vinicius, Brahim and Mbappe to contribute defensively, particularly when Real’s opponents use aggressive wing-backs
Against Inter Milan, Vinicius and Brahim worked inside to close spaces and allowed Real’s Madrid’s full-backs to press outside as explained by Jose Mourinho
7. Full Backs are used differenly so far. Trent Alexander-Arnold given license to push forward in a more midfield-oriented role, rather than simply functioning as a attacking right-back
After the Inter Milan match, Mourinho explained that Trent’s characteristics allowed him to interpret the role, but also acknowledged the physical demands were very different from playing as a positional full-back.
He’s using players according to their profiles and playing style rather than forcing everybody into the same old system. Mourinho hasn’t reduced attacking freedom of the team but he is demanding more work without the ball as a unit
Mourinho has brought greater tactical structure, rotation and defensive responsibility, but Real Madrid are still searching for consistency in midfield control and attacking efficiency against the strongest opponents.
Mourinho Real Madrid tactics and style of play:
Jose Mourinho Real Madrid is more direct and clinical than last season. Goals expected per 90 mins up from 1.60 to 2.35
Less possession and heavy open-play passes down from 463 to 416 per 90. Mourinho’s men are now creating more while circulating the ball less
Conclusion:
Whatever happens remains to be seen but so far Mourinho Real Madrid is back on track with better flexibility in tactical approach, more defined roles for the players, better defensively and discipline as the season goes on
Real Madrid La Liga 2026/27 Results so far:
6 wins from 8 games across all competitions in August–September
1. La Liga wins: Espanyol (2-1 away), Real Sociedad (4-1), Málaga (4-0), Rayo Vallecano (4-1) and Elche (3-2 away)
2. Champions League: 2026: 2-1 win over Inter Milan
3. Defeats: 1-0 at Real Betis and 2-1 to Atlético Madrid in the derby, both exposing issues still being ironed out
What’s next for Mourinho Real Madrid: the next three La Liga games are Villarreal at home on 10 October, Sevilla at home on 18 October, and El Clásico away at Barcelona on 25 October. Those fixtures will show whether the 4-2-3-1 holds up against the league’s stronger sides
Also read: Arsenal Title Favourites 2026/2027
https://footballmarking.com/arsenal-title-favourites-2026-2027/