CORNERFLICK
Real Madrid's dressing room is still described as cold and tense despite José Mourinho's return, according to Cadena SER. The coach has gone back to work with most of the first-team squad ahead of Villarreal, but the mood reportedly has not changed.
Old habits remain
The report says a group inside the club has not settled under Xabi Alonso or Álvaro Arbeloa, and Mourinho's authority has also failed to shift long-running habits. It adds that last season's disputes even led to two players coming to blows.
Pressure on the stars
There is also said to be distance and distrust around Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé. Vinícius's contract renewal has not been welcomed by everyone, while Mbappé's off-field conduct during injury recovery has added to the scrutiny.
Mourinho has reportedly asked the France forward in private to show more responsibility. Real face Villarreal at home, then travel to Rome in the Champions League, before meetings with Sevilla and Barcelona in El Clásico.