Headline: Jose Mourinho Establishes Preferred Defensive Line for Real Madrid Early in Season
According to AS, Jose Mourinho has identified his preferred defensive lineup at Real Madrid just two games into the 2026/27 season.
The coach appears to favor a backline consisting of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, and Marc Cucurella—three players newly acquired and one from the previous summer—as his first-choice defenders moving forward this season.
A Defence Built for the Big Games
Mourinho began the midweek match against Real Sociedad with three of these four players in the lineup, opting for Alvaro Carreras at left-back before substituting him for Cucurella at half-time.
While Mourinho indicated that the change stemmed from Carreras receiving a yellow card, it nonetheless showcased a back four likely to see minimal adjustments during the remainder of the season.
Antonio Rudiger may serve as an alternative for either Konate or Huijsen in the center-back position, but the four players increasingly look like the foundation for the team’s critical matchups.
Dumfries overtakes Trent at right-back. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Dumfries, who is used to operating within a five-man defensive structure, has now emerged as the leading choice at right-back. With Cucurella manning the left flank, Real Madrid can position their defensive line more advanced, facilitating both offensive play and pressing higher up the pitch.
This adjustment provides the midfield and forwards the necessary support to effectively implement Mourinho’s desired high-press strategy.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The match statistics provided insightful data. As noted by Opta, Dumfries made 15 passes in the final third, ranking fifth for that statistic during the game behind Arda Guler (25), Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde (22 each), and Bernardo Silva (17).
A solid start to life at Madrid for Konate. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Konate achieved the highest number of tackles in the match, recording two, which tied with Cucurella’s effort. Meanwhile, Huijsen excelled in his passing, completing 69 out of 72 attempts, boasting an impressive 95.8% success rate.
Carreras also contributed before his exit, recovering four balls—matching Huijsen’s total. Overall, Real Madrid’s defensive unit managed to recover 15 balls with seven of these occurring in Real Sociedad’s half. They allowed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to face only three shots, a total equal to that against Espanyol.
Moving forward, this defensive framework is expected to evolve in the upcoming matches prior to the international break against teams like Malaga, Real Betis, and Rayo, as well as in their Champions League opener and the derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.
There is still much ground to cover, but the essential elements for a solid defensive configuration are already becoming clear. Mourinho looks forward to further refining this new defensive setup as the season unfolds.
According to AS, Jose Mourinho has already settled on his preferred defensive line at Real Madrid only two games into the 2026/27 season.
The combination of Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, and Marc Cucurella – three new arrivals and another from last summer, seem to be the manager’s gala backline moving forward this season.
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A defence built for the big games
Mourinho started the midweek game against Real Sociedad with three of the aforementioned four players, with Alvaro Carreras getting the nod at left-back, only to be replaced by Cucurella at half-time.
While Mourinho suggested that the substitution was due to Carreras picking up a yellow card in the first half, the change nevertheless offered a glimpse of a back four that could see relatively few changes throughout the season.
Antonio Rudiger could still provide an alternative to Konate or Huijsen before Eder Militao at centre-back.
But these four defenders increasingly look like the unit that will start the most important matches.
Dumfries overtakes Trent at right-back. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
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Dumfries is accustomed to playing in a five-man defence but has now moved ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold as the undisputed right-back.
With Cucurella occupying the left, Real Madrid can push the defensive line higher and defend, attack and press further up the pitch.
That, in turn, gives the midfielders and forwards the platform to execute the high press Mourinho wants to establish.
The numbers tell the story
The statistics from the match were revealing. According to Opta, Dumfries completed 15 passes in the final third, the fifth-highest total in the game, behind Arda Guler (25), Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde (22 each), and Bernardo Silva (17).
A solid start to life at Madrid for Konate. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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Konate won the most tackles, with two, matching Cucurella’s total. Huijsen completed the most passes, finding a teammate 69 times from 72 attempts, an impressive 95.8% completion rate.
Carreras also made his mark before being substituted, recovering four balls, the same number as Huijsen.
Overall, Real Madrid’s defence recovered 15 balls, with seven of them coming in Real Sociedad’s half. Defensively, they allowed Thibaut Courtois to face only three shots, the same number he faced against Espanyol.
This defensive structure should continue to develop over the coming fixtures before the international break: Malaga, Real Betis, the Champions League opener, Rayo and Elche, followed by the derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.
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There is still plenty of work to do, but the foundations are already visible. A new defence is beginning to take shape at the Bernabeu, and Mourinho hopes it will become a better defence as the season progresses.
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