José Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid has yet to calm tensions inside the dressing room. After a three-week international break, Los Blancos face a demanding October, with Champions League meetings against Roma on October 14 and Leipzig on October 21, followed by the season’s first Clásico against Barcelona on October 25 at Spotify Camp Nou.
These fixtures could prove crucial in the title race, but Real Madrid heads into them amid growing concerns over the atmosphere within the squad.
According to Cadena SER, relations among the players remain tense five months after the end of last season. Speaking on El Larguero, journalist Antón Meana claimed that Mourinho has failed to change the group’s dynamics, which already suffered from strained relationships with Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa. “I still see a dressing room just as cold as it was five months ago,” Meana said. He also pointed to more serious tensions, claiming that two players had even come to blows. Mourinho’s arrival has therefore not yet produced the unity that Real Madrid expected from the Portuguese coach.
Kylian Mbappé’s situation has added another layer to the tension at the club. The France international left the national team camp because of an injury before returning to Valdebebas and completing his first full team training session on Wednesday. Mourinho could now start him against Villarreal this weekend.
However, the Portuguese coach will also have to manage concerns surrounding the French forward, with some figures inside the club reportedly believing that Mbappé “still hasn’t grasped how Real and its environment work.” With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, Mourinho must quickly find a way to restore stability within his squad.
