Real Madrid are navigating a testing early stretch under Jose Mourinho, with encouraging results sitting alongside genuine concerns about the team's cohesion and discipline. The clearest sign of internal friction came after the 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan, when Federico Valverde publicly admitted the squad ignored Mourinho's tactical instructions during the second half, allowing Inter back into a game Real Madrid had controlled. Winning while playing poorly is a familiar luxury for elite clubs, but the admission raised questions about how firmly Mourinho's methods have taken hold.

In LaLiga, the picture is similarly mixed. Real Madrid sit fourth in the table, level on points with the sides around them, and a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis recently interrupted a promising run of three consecutive wins. Mourinho has responded by defending his key players publicly, using a pointed proverb to back Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe after both faced whistles from their own supporters at the Bernabeu. His message was clear: criticism follows talent.

Off the pitch, the club is moving to secure its long-term foundations. Real Madrid are reportedly preparing contract extensions for both Thibaut Courtois, whose performance against Inter was outstanding, and Jude Bellingham, with a proposed deal running until 2031 understood to reflect the club's determination to keep its best players away from Premier League interest. Saturday's home fixture against Rayo Vallecano offers Mourinho a chance to restore confidence before the Madrid derby arrives later this month.