Real Madrid vs. Deportivo: Mourinho’s Predicted Starting XI

José Mourinho’s Real Madrid will face Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor this Wednesday evening at 9:00 p.m. in the 81st edition of the Teresa Herrera Trophy. The friendly will provide another important opportunity for the Spanish giants to continue their preparations ahead of the new season while allowing Mourinho to assess several players competing for places in his starting XI.

Andriy Lunin is expected to start once again in goal. Thibaut Courtois is still working his way back to full fitness and was not included in the squad for the trip to A Coruña. The Ukrainian goalkeeper should therefore remain Mourinho’s first choice for this encounter.

In defence, Denzel Dumfries is expected to continue at right-back. The Dutchman, one of Real Madrid’s new arrivals, could once again be given the opportunity to impress from the start. Dean Huijsen and Antonio Rüdiger are likely to form the centre-back partnership, while Álvaro Carreras should complete the defensive line on the left.

Mourinho expected to keep the 4-2-3-1

Mourinho is expected to maintain the 4-2-3-1 formation he has been using during pre-season. Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga should operate together in the double pivot, providing energy, physicality and balance in the middle of the pitch.

Ahead of them, Arda Güler is expected to take the role of attacking midfielder. The Turkish international could once again be given significant creative responsibility, playing between the lines and attempting to connect midfield with the attack.

Bernardo Silva and Vinícius Junior are expected to start on the wings, with Endrick leading the attack. Bernardo could therefore once again be deployed in a wide position after making his first appearance for Real Madrid. His technical quality and ability to drift into central areas could offer Mourinho another tactical option.

The team would consequently include several established stars alongside players who are still trying to secure an important role in Mourinho’s plans.

Real Madrid’s predicted XI: Lunin; Dumfries, Huijsen, Rüdiger, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga; Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler, Vinícius Junior; Endrick.

Mourinho will also have several alternatives available from the bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lamine Fati, Joan Martínez, Mario Rivas, Cestero, Lacosta, Alexis Ciria, Carlos Espí, Brahim Díaz and Daniel Yáñez are among the players included in the squad, and several of them could receive minutes during the second half.

🗺️ ¡Estos son los horarios del partido!@Emirates pic.twitter.com/uSflNtqZly

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 12, 2026

Real Madrid will, however, be without a number of players. Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Thiago, Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio are all unavailable for the match. Kylian Mbappé, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella and Aurélien Tchouaméni have also been left out of the travelling squad after only recently returning from their holidays.

The Teresa Herrera Trophy should therefore give Mourinho another valuable opportunity to test his preferred system, evaluate individual performances and continue building his team before the start of competitive action.