José Mourinho Names Real Madrid Squad for La Liga Trip to Malaga

José Mourinho has named his Real Madrid squad for Sunday’s La Liga trip to Malaga, and it comes with some notable absentees and a clear nod to the club’s academy.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Endrick miss out once again, both held back by physical issues that continue to shape Mourinho’s early-season plans. To plug the gaps, the coach has turned to youth, calling up Mario Rivas, Sicetero and Alexis Ceria from the academy ranks.

Tchouaméni’s Situation

Tchouaméni’s situation remains a concern for Madrid. Since returning from the leave granted to him after the World Cup, the midfielder has struggled with persistent pain and has only managed a handful of appearances. The discomfort has kept him from building any rhythm, and he drops out of contention yet again for this third league fixture.

Endrick’s Absence

Endrick’s absence is different in tone but just as significant. The forward is following a tailored programme designed to protect him across the full campaign, with the club intent on managing his workload carefully. At the back, Raúl Asencio is also unavailable, ruled out by shin trouble that further limits Mourinho’s defensive options.

Injury List

The injury list does not stop there. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo and Thiago Pitarch are all out of tomorrow’s clash, forcing Mourinho to lean heavily on the depth of his squad and the hunger of his younger players.

Even with those setbacks, Madrid travel with a squad stacked with quality and intrigue. In goal, Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin and Javi Navarro are selected, giving Mourinho stability between the posts.

The defence group is a blend of power, experience and fresh faces: Dean Huijsen, Trent, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Carreras, Antonio Rüdiger, Denzel Dumfries and academy call-up Mario Rivas all make the list.

Midfield remains the heartbeat of this side. Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva are joined by youngsters Sicetero and Alexis Ceria, two more academy products handed a chance to taste the first-team environment.

With key names missing and academy players stepping into the frame, this trip to Malaga offers an early look at how Mourinho intends to balance star power with youth over a long, demanding season.