Real Madrid snagged a 1-0 win against Primera RFEF squad AD Alcorcón at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano on Friday night, with Dani Yáñez nailing the game-winner from the penalty spot. This was the first real peek Madridistas got at Jose Mourinho 2.0’s squad in what’s still super early pre-season. Only the first 20 minutes were open to journos and viewers. The focus was squarely on building fitness for guys not in this summer’s World Cup. The starting XI itself highlighted a youth movement, with the squad on the field at the final whistle made up entirely of players from Castilla and the club’s youth teams.
The Penalty Kick Drama and a Surprising Miss
Alright, so the biggest drama point was definitely the second-minute penalty. With all the usual suspects out, Arda Güler stepped up. Man, if you’d told me he’d miss, I wouldn’t have believed it! The kid had a perfect 100% success rate on seven career penalties before this, last one in April 2022. But the rust showed big time, a real shocker for someone so reliable. His low shot to Oriol Martí’s right lacked pace and power, making it Martí’s first recorded penalty save at 26 years old. Tough start! Later, Dani Yáñez redeemed the situation, earning and converting his own spot-kick for the only goal and the win.
A Teenager’s Big Audition and Tactical Shifts
While Güler was shaking off the rust, another young gun made serious noise. Franco Mastantuono, a teenager, put on a clinic down the right flank. This kid was absolutely lively, showing zero lack of confidence, and even won the penalty Güler unfortunately missed. With Rodrygo sidelined by a long-term knee injury and guys like Brahim Díaz not back from the World Cup, this is Mastantuono’s prime opportunity to prove a point. Club sources were apparently buzzing, calling him the best individual performer of the entire game! That’s a massive statement for a strong first audition.
Tactically, Mourinho kicked things off with a 4-3-3. That system was his go-to in his previous stint, even though he ran more of a 4-2-3-1 with Benfica last season. What’s intriguing is how the shape shifted, sometimes looking like a 4-2-3-1, especially with Güler stepping forward. This tactical versatility is definitely a point to watch as pre-season unfolds. Eduardo Camavinga was also out there as the lone pivot in midfield, thriving in an influential role, clearly looking to cement his lifeline with the team after recent transfer speculation.
What’s Next for the Squad
It’s clear this is just the very beginning of pre-season, focused purely on getting legs under players and building that base fitness. But with a young guy like Mastantuono shining bright, tactical tweaks already on display, and key players like Camavinga looking to cement their roles, there’s plenty to keep an eye on. Next up, more grind, more fitness building, and more opportunities for these players to show Mourinho what they can really do.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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