Mourinho Turns to Youth as Injuries Hit Real Madrid Before Málaga Trip
José Mourinho will travel to Málaga with a patched-up Real Madrid squad and a clear message: the season is long, and the academy will have to grow up fast.
On the eve of Sunday’s third La Liga fixture, the Real Madrid coach confirmed his list for the clash, once again without Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick. Both stay out for physical reasons, forcing Mourinho to dig deeper into the club’s youth ranks. Mario Rivas, Sicetero and Alexis Ceria have all been drafted in from the academy to complete the group.
Tchouaméni’s absence has become a worrying theme. Since returning from the post-World Cup leave granted to him, the French midfielder has been fighting persistent pain that has limited him to only a handful of appearances. Just when Madrid could use his control in the middle of the pitch, he drops out again.
Endrick’s situation is different but just as decisive. The young forward is being managed with a specific programme aimed at keeping him clear of recurring issues across the entire campaign, so the staff are refusing to take risks this early. At the back, Raúl Asencio also misses out, ruled out by shin problems.
The list of absentees does not stop there. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Thiago Pitarch are all unavailable for the trip, stripping depth from every line and leaving Mourinho to juggle his options.
Squad Against Málaga
- Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Javi Navarro
- Defence: Huijsen, Trent, Konaté, Cucurella, Carreras, Rüdiger, Dumfries, Mario Rivas
- Midfield: Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva, Sicetero, Alexis Ceria
It is a squad that blends world-class names with raw, untested talent. For the youngsters called up, Málaga away is no longer just another match on television. It is a door, suddenly open.
