From the Champions League to Castilla: Thiago Pitarch returns | OneFootball

Thiago Pitarch will have to return to Castilla temporarily, although his situation within Real Madrid has not changed. The Spanish-Moroccan midfielder will be part of the reserve side’s squad to face Sant Andreu this Wednesday at the Narcís Sala, with the aim of getting minutes during the international break.

The news was first reported by journalist Álvaro Esteban and marks the academy graduate’s one-off return to the second team after recently being involved with José Mourinho’s first-team setup.

From being in the Champions League to playing with Castilla

Pitarch’s case is striking because of the change in scenario. On September 8, the midfielder was called up for Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The player was on the bench wearing the No. 27 shirt, although he ultimately did not play.

Since then, Pitarch has also not featured again under Mourinho. However, the Portuguese coach made it clear from the start of the season that he considers him a first-team player, even though his registration remains linked to Castilla due to squad-place limitations.

He will now have the chance to regain match rhythm with the reserve side.

A one-off decision, not a step backward

Pitarch’s presence with Castilla does not reflect a change in the coaching staff’s plans. Real Madrid will take advantage of the international break and the reduced numbers at Valdebebas so the young midfielder can get some playing time.

Castilla will face Sant Andreu this Wednesday, September 23, at 9:00 p.m. in the fourth round of the Primera Federación.

The idea is for Pitarch to be back in the spotlight on the pitch after several weeks without competing, while he continues to train regularly with the first team.

Mourinho already made his trust clear

Mourinho has been emphatic whenever he has had to speak about the young midfielder’s future. The coach believes the minutes he previously accumulated under Álvaro Arbeloa were enough to show that he is ready to compete at a higher level.

“Álvaro has given him so many matches and so many minutes that he has shown, without any doubt, that he can play from time to time with Castilla, but he is not a player who should be playing in the division Castilla play in,” the Portuguese explained.

The coach was even more direct when defining his situation within the squad.

“He is a first-team player and I like him a lot. He has qualities I like very, very much,” he stated.

Mourinho also pointed out that, whenever he was available, Pitarch would be part of the group and would have opportunities with the first team.

A return to build match fitness

The midfielder will now have a different kind of opportunity. After experiencing a Champions League night at the Bernabéu from the bench, he will play another match with Castilla to stay competitive.

His return to the reserve side, therefore, should be understood as a one-off measure to get minutes during the international break, not as a change in how Mourinho views him.

Pitarch will continue waiting for his chance with the first team, while Castilla will allow him to regain his feel and match sharpness.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.