There will be no time to breathe for Real Madrid after the international break. The schedule is about to become much more demanding, with five matches in just over two weeks, including two Champions League fixtures and the first Clasico of the season.
Real Madrid now have two weeks to prepare for what promises to be a crucial period after their defeat in the Madrid derby. José Mourinho’s side were beaten by Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, a result that left the Merengues six points behind FC Barcelona after seven La Liga matches.
The international break temporarily puts domestic football on hold, but it also gives Real Madrid an opportunity to analyse what went wrong in the derby and prepare for a packed October schedule. Mourinho will not, however, have his entire squad available during this period. Around fifteen Real Madrid players are expected to join their national teams, meaning the Portuguese coach will have to work with a reduced group at Valdebebas.
Once the international break ends, the matches will come thick and fast.
Real Madrid will return to action on October 10 with a home La Liga match against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu. It will be an important opportunity for Mourinho’s team to respond immediately and reduce the gap at the top of the table.
Just four days later, on October 14, Madrid will travel to Italy to face AS Roma in the Champions League. That European away game will be followed by another La Liga fixture on October 18, when Sevilla visit the Bernabéu.
There will be very little recovery time before Real Madrid are back in Champions League action. RB Leipzig will travel to Madrid on October 21 for another important European match.
And then comes the biggest fixture of the month.
On October 25, Real Madrid will travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season. With Barça currently six points ahead in La Liga, the match could already have major implications for the title race, even though the season will still be in its early stages.
In total, Real Madrid will play five matches between October 10 and October 25: three in La Liga and two in the Champions League. Squad rotation, player fitness and recovery will therefore become essential factors for Mourinho.
🤍 RMCF 🤍 pic.twitter.com/c4XZMQwstK
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 20, 2026
The pressure will also be significant. After dropping points in the derby, Real Madrid cannot afford to lose too much ground in the league, especially with Barcelona currently setting the pace.
Real Madrid’s October schedule
October 10: Real Madrid vs Villarreal — La Liga
October 14: AS Roma vs Real Madrid — Champions League
October 18: Real Madrid vs Sevilla — La Liga
October 21: Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig — Champions League
October 25: Barcelona vs Real Madrid — La Liga
Five high-profile matches in a short period will test Real Madrid’s depth, consistency and ability to react after the derby setback. The next few weeks could therefore prove decisive in shaping the direction of Mourinho’s season.
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