Real Madrid host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu this Wednesday in their postponed Matchday 1 fixture of the La Liga season.
Originally scheduled ten days earlier, the clash between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad was pushed back because of the Club World Cup. The match will finally take place this Wednesday, with the Santiago Bernabéu preparing to welcome the team back after what was a very unusual end to the previous campaign.
The occasion will also mark José Mourinho’s first competitive home match since returning to the Real Madrid bench. However, the Portuguese coach has made it clear that he does not want the evening to become a personal celebration.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Mourinho insisted that the focus must remain entirely on his players and on beginning a new chapter at the club. He wants the Bernabéu crowd to get behind the team from the opening whistle and help create the atmosphere needed to start the new season strongly.
For Mourinho, this is about turning the page. Whatever happened during the previous campaign must now be left behind as Real Madrid look to build momentum under their new manager.
Several key players still unavailable
Unfortunately for Mourinho, he will once again have to deal with a long list of absentees for this important fixture.
Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão remain sidelined through injury. Militão is expected to be the first of the three to return to action, with the Brazilian defender reportedly hoping to be available after the upcoming international break.
Thiago Pitarch is also still unavailable, while Raúl Asencio will miss the game because of renewed problems with his tibia. The Spanish defender has once again been experiencing pain in the affected area, and the situation could eventually require surgery if his condition does not improve.
That leaves Mourinho with fewer defensive options than he would ideally like for his first home league match of the campaign.
Endrick and Aurélien Tchouaméni have also failed to recover in time to face Real Sociedad. Their situations are not believed to be particularly serious, but Mourinho has made it clear that he does not intend to take unnecessary risks at this stage of the season.
The Portuguese coach explained on Tuesday that players must be fully prepared before returning to competitive action, especially with such a long campaign ahead.
🚨 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐋: Le GROUPE du Real Madrid 🆚 Real Sociedad. ✅🔥
— RMadrid actu 🇫🇷 (@RMadrid_actu) August 25, 2026
✅ Rivas, Ciria, Cestero
❌ Endrick, Tchouaméni pic.twitter.com/STKgcow2zb
“You can take risks at the end of the season, not at the beginning,” Mourinho stressed.
That philosophy means Real Madrid will have to remain patient with several important members of the squad. Rather than rushing players back and potentially causing more serious problems, Mourinho appears determined to protect them until they are completely ready.
Despite the absences, Real Madrid will still enter Wednesday’s match with one clear objective: secure another victory, make a strong impression in front of the Bernabéu supporters and continue building confidence at the beginning of the new La Liga season.
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