CORNERFLICK
Mourinho settles on a new shape
José Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid produced one of the clearest signs yet that he has settled on a preferred formula after the side beat Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga round nine. The win cut the gap to Barcelona to six points.
Three decisions shaped the performance: Valverde at right-back, Güler as the central playmaker and Diomande on the left of the front line. With that setup, Mourinho’s team looked more balanced.
Valverde, Güler and Diomande change the game
Valverde’s move to right-back gave Real more defensive cover and more room for others in midfield. Güler partnered Tchouaméni in the centre and scored a left-footed goal from the edge of the box in the 30th minute. Real kept 65% of the ball, with Güler dictating play.
Diomande, 19, filled in for the suspended Vinícius Júnior on the left and offered pace, dribbling and direct running. He set up Güler for the opening goal, was involved in the move for a second, played the through ball that led to a penalty chance for Mbappé, and then scored himself in the 82nd minute with a solo effort.
Mbappé scored twice and Endrick added energy on the right, leaving Mourinho with a setup that worked better than the midfield pairing of Valverde and Tchouaméni in the previous four matches.