José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid after 13 years was neither dreamy nor entertaining. It was realistic and ugly, just as the Portuguese likes it. Espanyol were beaten 2-1 in the La Liga opener, a hard-fought win that reveals a great deal about the shape of the new Madrid: a physically giant side built around the likes of Denzel Dumfries, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konaté and the presence of Bellingham.
One constant law of football guided Mourinho’s thinking: when you want to win, look for the tall man. That is exactly what he did, bringing on Carlos Espí, who arrived this summer for 25 million euros, with his height of 193cm, 11 minutes before the end to snatch the winning goal.
The goal was no mere header. It showed a nimble foot and great balance, confirming that the Espí deal, despite him being the least gifted going forward, may prove the most important. He gives the team what no one else has: size.
Winning was one thing, harmony another. Real looked talented but disjointed, natural enough for a team that has not trained together for long. The defending on Àlex Calatrava’s goal was so poor that it will certainly enrage Mourinho. Vinícius and Mbappé appeared and then vanished, which is their nature as Mourinho knows very well.
Nor can the Bernardo Silva and Valverde duo perform the real role of Tchouaméni, which leaves the big questions hanging. How will Diomandé harmonise with the attacking trio? And where is Arda Güler’s place?