September 10: Real Madrid Edge Inter 2-1 in Champions League Opener, Mourinho Says Squad Depth Limits Early Substitutions, Valverde Turns Training Into Goal

After the final whistle, Mourinho did not immediately go to argue with the officials. He first patted the backs of several players who gathered around him, and only afterward pulled Valverde over and pointed at the club badge on his chest while saying something. The camera did not capture the full conversation, but Valverde's smiling nod suggested it was not criticism, but the manager's satisfaction at seeing his player apply training work in a real match.

In this 2026-27 Champions League opening match against Inter, Real Madrid were far from perfect. The back-and-forth attacks toward both goals kept Mourinho on the sideline and Chivu on the opposite side holding their tactical boards and unable to sit comfortably for long. Until the final seconds, Bernabeu supporters were still standing and chanting, with nobody daring to leave early.

Many focused on the 2-1 scoreline after the match and described it as a victory earned through attacking effort. Mourinho himself highlighted the most practical issue in his post-match interview: he had planned to make substitutions earlier, but simply did not have enough available options, meaning his intended rotation plan could not be carried out.

This detail appeared in his conversation with Zero Point Radio's 'Evening Sports Stand' and was not buried under endless goal highlights. Instead, it exposed the most realistic situation facing Real Madrid at the start of the new season.

During the summer window, the club reportedly brought in Cucurella, Konate, Dumfries and Bernardo Silva. The first-team squad appeared deeper than last season on paper, but when facing the demands of La Liga and Champions League competition, it became clear that the number of players who can consistently play and meet Mourinho's tactical requirements remains only slightly above twenty, while one open registration spot remains unfilled.

No one understands what a lack of squad depth means better than Mourinho.

During his previous spell at Real Madrid, he relied on a rotation squad capable of handling multiple competitions to secure a record-setting league title run. His bench strength at the time allowed targeted adjustments every week in both league and Champions League matches, avoiding situations where he saw players lose fitness and rhythm but hesitated to make changes.

This time is different. He only officially took charge at an internal presentation ceremony in Valdebebas on August 18, while arriving at the training base in early July to lead preseason preparation. He also had to develop tactics with new players and adjust habits among veterans. In just over a month, he needed to establish the 4-2-3-1 system while helping stars such as Mbappe and Vinicius adapt to new movement requirements after being used to previous ball distribution patterns.

The season had just started, yet the demands of competing on two fronts arrived immediately. If one or two key players suffer minor injuries or fatigue, the entire rotation structure becomes strained.

Valverde's goal after capitalizing on an Inter goalkeeper mistake was not simply a lucky goal.

Mourinho made it clear in the interview that it was the result of repeated work in daily training.

During extra shooting sessions before the match, Valverde repeatedly practiced arriving late into the box for second-ball chances. He understood that in Mourinho's system, the double pivot cannot only sit in front of the penalty area defensively; they must attack the gaps between the opponent's defense and goalkeeper.

This goal also updated Real Madrid's Champions League historical data. Since the 2007-08 season, Real Madrid have reportedly scored 30 Champions League goals by taking advantage of opponent goalkeeper mistakes, twice as many as second-placed Arsenal. The explanation is not superstition, but the principle emphasized by generations of Real Madrid coaches: every second matters, and every opponent mistake must immediately become an opportunity.

Many had previously discussed whether Mourinho's return would take Real Madrid back to an extreme defensive counterattacking approach or maintain the attacking power of recent seasons. This match provided an answer.

He did not turn the team into one that only sits deep defensively. Instead, he allowed Mbappe to lead the attack aggressively, and after the match he publicly stated that Mbappe would eventually become this season's Champions League top scorer. This confidence was based on seeing Mbappe repeatedly track back and press defenders.

Even though Vinicius has not yet returned to his best form, Mourinho did not publicly criticize him. He only said everyone could see how much he ran and fought on the pitch. This approach of applying pressure while providing support is one of Mourinho's strengths in managing a dressing room.

Immediately after taking over, he established a strict rule that players arriving late to training would miss the squad list. Mbappe was the first to arrive early and organize his equipment. It was clear that this return of Mourinho was not simply about making an appearance and winning a trophy; he wanted to unite a team that had gone two seasons without winning the top La Liga or Champions League titles.

However, the lack of squad depth will not disappear because of one victory.

Last season Real Madrid finished second in La Liga with 79 points, while Barcelona won the title with 88 points. The nine-point gap appeared small, but it reflected a lack of consistency across multiple competitions.

Competition in the new La Liga season will only become tougher. After playing Betis, the team immediately faces Champions League duties. Almost every week will bring opponents with different styles, and if Mourinho cannot strengthen his options, there is a risk of fatigue collapses or a lack of players able to change matches.

Mourinho also joked after the match that the score could have been 7-6 because both sides created many chances. Winning all three points was already the most satisfying result, reflecting his awareness that the current squad has not fully gelled.

He knows that Real Madrid are still far from a team that can freely control match tempo. Many victories have come through individual quality and physical battles. If injuries or suspensions accumulate, unresolved rotation gaps could become major obstacles in the title race.

From winning a record points La Liga title in his first Real Madrid spell, to later managing Chelsea, Inter, Roma and Fenerbahce before returning to the Bernabeu, the 63-year-old Mourinho is no longer the young coach sprinting along the sideline in celebration. He now must restore results while rebuilding dressing-room discipline and ensuring every star understands the team matters more than individual statistics.

His current contract runs until 2029, giving him time to build the squad he wants. But during this early stage, every rotation decision and every player's physical management must be carefully calculated.

For the current Real Madrid, a 2-1 Champions League opening win is only the beginning. The real challenge is whether they can secure the points they need throughout a long two-competition schedule despite not having unlimited squad depth.