There is something noticeably different about Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, and it is no longer simply an impression from within the club or talk about a new project that needs time to develop. The manager preparing to face the Spanish giants has already spotted clear changes in the way the team plays, particularly in what happens when they lose possession.
What makes the situation even more interesting is that the changes are not limited to the defensive side of the game. Real Madrid also appear to have a different structure when they have the ball. Ahead of Real Sociedad’s clash with the Spanish giants, their manager offered a clear assessment of what he has seen from Mourinho’s new-look side.
Real Sociedad are preparing to travel to the Spanish capital to face Real Madrid, with the match representing Jose Mourinho’s second La Liga game in charge of the club this season. Real Madrid began their campaign with a difficult 2-1 victory over Espanyol and will now be looking to maintain their positive start.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Real Sociedad manager Pellegrino Matarazzo discussed the new-look Real Madrid under Mourinho, making it clear that he has noticed significant differences in the team’s identity and structure.
Matarazzo said: “You can clearly see that they are a top-level team. They have many new signings, very impressive signings, as well as a new coach.”
However, the most significant part of the Real Sociedad manager’s comments came when he discussed the tactical changes Mourinho has introduced at Real Madrid.
He explained that Real Madrid are now more organised when pressing, while the intensity of their counter-pressing is also different compared with previous seasons. The observation highlights one of the key areas Mourinho has been working on since taking charge of the club.
“You can clearly see a different structure, both in the press, where they are more organised, and in the counter-press, where you can see a different intensity compared with previous seasons.”
Matarazzo’s praise was not limited to Real Madrid’s defensive work or pressing. He also pointed to greater clarity in the team’s attacking ideas, which is particularly important as Mourinho looks to find the right balance between his attacking stars.
Real Madrid have increasingly relied on a 4-2-3-1 system, with Mourinho attempting to give Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham and Yan Diomande defined roles within the attacking structure.
Although Yan Diomande has not yet become a regular starter, Mourinho will soon face an important challenge in finding the right way to fit his four attacking stars into the same lineup while maintaining the balance highlighted by the Real Sociedad manager.
That makes the Real Sociedad match an important test for Mourinho’s new project. Real Madrid will not simply want to build on their victory over Espanyol; they will also be looking for a more convincing and consistent performance under their new manager.
Matarazzo, meanwhile, rejected the idea that Real Sociedad will approach the match simply by trying to contain Real Madrid. He insisted that his team believes in its own quality and abilities and will enter the game with confidence and a desire to produce a strong performance.
Ultimately, the Real Sociedad manager’s comments provide an early assessment of the changes Mourinho is trying to make at Real Madrid. These changes are not only about new names in the squad, but also about organisation, pressing, counter-pressing and greater attacking clarity.
The upcoming meeting with Real Sociedad will provide another opportunity to see whether this new structure becomes even more evident and whether Real Madrid can turn Mourinho’s tactical changes into strong performances and consistent results at the start of the season.