NewzJose Mourinho begins his second stint as manager of Real Madrid on Saturday, facing Espanyol in his first official match of the season. His inaugural starting lineup serves as an initial indicator of his tactical preferences, though squad composition has been heavily influenced by a disrupted summer preparation period shaped by the World Cup.
The scheduling constraints of the international tournament created a two-speed preseason for the squad, forcing the coaching staff to navigate fitness discrepancies and player availability as they construct the team's opening strategy.
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