Overview
- Real Madrid beat Deportivo La Coruña 1-0 on Thursday when Brahim Díaz scored the only goal to lift the Teresa Herrera Trophy for the tenth time.
- Mourinho said the squad is progressing and warned that the real work begins next week as friendlies give way to competitive matches.
- The coach limited minutes for several internationals to manage load, using rotation in friendlies to protect fitness and run tactical tests.
- Bernardo Silva has been integrated as an organising midfield option who helps build from the back, but staff say midfield balance is still unsettled.
- Analysts and internal assessments say positive results hide unresolved questions about collective identity, midfield roles and Mourinho’s plan to trim the squad toward a smaller core while testing academy players.