Real Madrid head into the new season with results pointing in the right direction, yet the picture around the club is considerably more complicated than the table suggests. Jose Mourinho's side have won all three of their LaLiga fixtures, scoring nine goals in the process, and sit second behind Barcelona on goal difference. A 4-0 dismantling of Malaga at the Bernabeu on August 30 was the latest demonstration of their attacking quality, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe driving much of that threat.

The injury list, though, is a serious concern. Eder Militao, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Endrick are all sidelined, leaving Mourinho short of options across the pitch. Mendy's situation has taken a further turn after the manager excluded the French left-back from the Champions League squad entirely, with a teenage midfielder taking his place on the European list. Injured players Militao and Rodrygo were included, making Mendy's omission a pointed selection decision rather than a purely medical one.

Off the pitch, Asencio has added to the noise. The 23-year-old defender was cleared of charges relating to an explicit video, but a separate drink-driving conviction prompted a firm public warning from Mourinho, with the club moving quickly to open internal disciplinary proceedings.

Mourinho's men now travel to Seville to face Real Betis at the Estadio de La Cartuja, a ground where the sides drew 1-1 in April. Keeping that winning run intact, despite the absentees, would send a clear signal about where this squad is heading under its new manager.