Mourinho's Real Madrid pre-season: Bernardo dig, Diomande hype and the tactical blueprint taking shape

There has been plenty of cause for optimism during Real Madrid's pre-season under Jose Mourinho. A 2-2 draw against Fiorentina in their opening friendly was followed by wins against Hungarian side Ferencvaros (2-1), Deportivo La Coruna (1-0) and Schalke 04 (3-0). Mourinho's side have looked better and better with each game.

The latest game against Schalke was the first in which Mourinho had all of his main stars available after the World Cup. New signing Yan Diomande — who joined in a deal worth up to €140million (£119m; $161m) from RB Leipzig — came on in the 60th minute. Kylian Mbappe needed just six minutes to score on his first start of pre-season while Dean Huijsen and new striker Carlos Espi also got on the scoresheet.

"The team has started to look like a team. We are all excited," Mourinho said on the club's official TV channel. Next up is the real thing: Madrid's La Liga opener against Espanyol on Saturday at 9.30pm local time (8.30pm UK, 3.30pm ET).

Mou is still Mou

Mourinho has yet to hold his first official presentation or press conference, but there is little doubt who is in charge. Beyond the influence the returning Portuguese coach has had on the club's transfer business, he has placed a significant emphasis on his side's physical preparation. Unlike in previous summers, Madrid have not travelled overseas for a pre-season tour. Instead, they have largely been able to stay in the Spanish capital and focus on their physical conditioning.

Sources close to the club staff — who, like all those cited in this article, asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — say the opening weeks of Mourinho's second spell have been demanding, with lots of double sessions. Those within the coaching staff explain this is why players have sometimes appeared fatigued at times during this summer's friendlies.

During games, Mourinho has been unmistakably Mourinho. The 63-year-old has delivered animated team talks, while his touchline reactions have included angry protests with his staff and players when they have disagreed with refereeing decisions — as happened in the games against Deportivo and Ferencvaros. A black eye caused by being struck by a shot in training only added to his 'hard man' image for supporters.

The rare occasions he has spoken have been through the club's official TV channel, where he has already caused a stir with some of his comments. After the Ferencvaros game, he was asked about Bernardo Silva, the summer signing from Manchester City. "Bernardo is a very important player for us, but the poor guy is another one of those who likes to do nothing during the holidays," Mourinho said. "It is good for him, mentally, not to do anything in his free time, so he has come back in poor physical shape. He needs to improve."

Bernardo, Espi among the standouts

Mourinho has had to rotate heavily, with several players having been given extended, post-World Cup breaks. It is too early to know his preferred XI. But there are a few players who have already earned his trust — and Bernardo is one of them. Despite the apparent dig over his fitness, Bernardo is highly regarded within Mourinho's coaching staff, who actually saw those comments as a sign of how highly the coach rates him. The Portugal international has been used in several positions but most often in attacking midfield — where Madrid looked most in need of an injection of quality last season.

Arda Guler has also impressed as a No 10. The 21-year-old's inch-perfect assist from a corner for Huijsen's goal against Schalke was another reminder of his clear ability. He has been helped by returning early after Turkey's elimination from the World Cup group stage.

Further back, the coaching staff have been encouraged by the performance of some of the team's younger players. Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras both endured difficult finishes to their debut seasons at the Bernabeu but have been composed in their pre-season showings. Carreras provided the assist for Madrid's third goal against Schalke. However, his performance against Deportivo was even more impressive, as he produced a series of intelligent, well-timed runs.

Among the new signings, the most surprising early standout has been the least heralded: Espi. The €25million arrival from Levante has scored twice in pre-season and has shown how useful he can be against teams who defend deep.

And then there is Diomande, the 19-year-old who has left people at Madrid's Valdebebas training ground raving about his quality in training — along with fans on social media who have seen limited clips of his sessions. As the World Cup players have returned, some of the academy players have naturally slipped down the pecking order. But two have made a particularly strong impression: centre-back Mario Rivas, 19, and left-winger Alexis Ciria, 18. Both are highly rated at Valdebebas.

From 'rock 'n' roll' to rapid counter-attacks

There has been no mention of the "rock 'n' roll" football Xabi Alonso spoke about after his appointment last summer, but Mourinho's tactical imprint is starting to become clear. The team's basic structure is a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Madrid looking particularly comfortable when counter-attacking. The most striking example was the move for Brahim Diaz's goal against Deportivo de La Coruna. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin released the ball quickly with a long throw. Brahim then took a confident touch with his chest to put himself in behind and effectively one-vs-one with the goalkeeper, before slotting home.

Madrid's off-the-ball work has been encouraging. Vinicius Junior and Diomande have shown a willingness to track back and defend deep inside their own half, too often a problem with Madrid's star forwards last season. There have been moments where the team have lacked a little clarity and patience in possession. One early conclusion is that this side may simply be more comfortable without the ball.

Does Trent start? What about Cucurella?

There is plenty to take from these first 360 minutes, but still some questions to be addressed. The final players to return after their breaks were centre-back Ibrahima Konate, left-back Marc Cucurella, midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham, and Mbappe. Bellingham is expected to remain central to Mourinho's plans, but there is still uncertainty over how the new coach will arrange the two midfielders behind the England international.

One thing made clear by this pre-season campaign is that Federico Valverde appears set to take on even greater defensive responsibility under Mourinho. That would leave Guler or Bernardo to compete for the final midfield position. Tchouameni has experienced some minor muscular discomfort on his return to Madrid, but it is unclear how Mourinho will use him given the limited space in his position.

The competition is just as intriguing in defence. Cucurella arrived as the first-choice option at left-back following his €60million move from Chelsea, but his limited training time after Spain's World Cup win and Carreras' strong pre-season could create a genuine battle for the position in the opening weeks of the season.

There is even more uncertainty on the right. Denzel Dumfries was initially brought in as a backup full-back from Inter, but the Netherlands international has started three of the first four games in advanced positions. Against Deportivo, he even operated as a winger, with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing behind him at right-back. Both have made a positive impression, but the question is who makes the right-back position their own.

At centre-back, the picture is clearer. Raul Asencio is expected to return in September after a right thigh muscle injury, while Eder Militao is out for longer because of his left hamstring issue. That leaves Huijsen and Konate as the apparent frontrunners for the centre-back roles. Konate produced a strong first half against Schalke, but it remains to be seen whether Mourinho rotates the new arrival from Liverpool with Antonio Rudiger during the opening weeks — or if the German keeps his place. There will be plenty to keep an eye on at the Bernabeu as the season kicks off.