Mourinho’s major Real Madrid pre-season obsession appears to have paid off – report | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho took over as the manager of Real Madrid at the start of the summer, with Florentino Perez turning to a familiar face to arrest Los Blancos’ slump.

While two trophyless seasons do not qualify as a slump for most clubs, at Madrid, that is a full-blown disaster.

Jose has now taken over to take Real Madrid back to where they belong, and he has been adequately backed in the transfer market by Perez.

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Mourinho arrived at Real Madrid determined to address one problem that has repeatedly damaged the team in recent seasons: injuries.

Only two new injuries during pre-season

Avoiding fitness problems became a major priority for Mourinho, his coaching staff and the club throughout pre-season, with particular care being taken over workloads at Valdebebas.

So far, the strategy appears to have produced encouraging results.

Only two players have suffered new injuries during Real Madrid’s pre-season preparations.

Injured during pre-season. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Raul Asencio picked up a muscular injury to the rectus femoris in his right leg, while Thiago Pitarch suffered a knee sprain. That represents a significant improvement compared to some recent summers.

Real Madrid have previously seen as many as eight players encounter injury problems during pre-season periods, with important names including Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga among those affected.

The trend has also carried into those respective seasons.

Mourinho taking special care with Endrick

There are still several players currently unavailable, although their problems did not originate during Mourinho’s pre-season.

Rodrygo, Militao and Ferland Mendy are continuing their recoveries from injuries suffered previously.

Endrick is another player receiving particular attention.

Endrick’s situation being carefully managed. (Photo by David Balogh/Getty Images)

The Brazilian experienced several muscular problems during his spell with Lyon, and Real Madrid are therefore managing him through specific individual work designed to reduce the chances of those issues returning.

It is clear that Mourinho has placed a lot of emphasis on the squad’s fitness.

Early signs are encouraging

Preventing injuries completely over a long season is impossible, especially with the increasingly demanding football calendar.

What Real Madrid have in their hands and can control is the preparation.

Mourinho has also had the complication of players returning at different stages following the World Cup, making workload management particularly important before the competitive season begins.

While the number two sounds appealing compared to how things have been in previous pre-seasons, Mourinho will know that the momentum needs to be carried into the new season.

The Portuguese tactician is unlikely to be able to make the kind of rotations he has been making in pre-season so far.

With more and more minutes accumulating in fewer and fewer legs, recovery and preparation become the two most important things for the manager.

It remains to be seen whether Mourinho can finally find the fix to Real Madrid’s recurring injury issue and how players maintain their fitness this campaign.