Real Madrid fans are expressing their disbelief on X after Jose Mourinho decided to include Brahim Diaz in their starting XI to face Malaga. The two sides are set to face each other in their LaLiga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu later today (Sunday, August 30).
Thibaut Courtois starts in goal for Los Blancos, while the defense comprises Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Marc Cucurella. Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, and Jude Bellingham make up the midfield. Vinicius Jr, Brahim Diaz, and Kylian Mbappe start up front to complete the starting XI.
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Real Madrid have started their campaign on a positive note so far, defeating Espanyol 2-1 and Real Sociedad 4-1. Despite signing Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig over the summer for a club-record fee of €125 million, Mourinho notably opted to deploy Arda Guler down the right wing.
However, neither Diomande nor Guler feature in the starting lineup against Malaga, with Diaz being preferred instead. The 27-year-old struggled for game time last season, scoring only two goals and providing nine assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
As a result, Real Madrid fans have questioned his inclusion in the starting XI, with one posting:
“How is Brahim starting over diomande and guler…”
Another fan tweeted:
“We spent €140m for a winger, and Brahim is still ahead of him in the pecking order.”
Other fans reacted below:
“Super important for the team” – Jose Mourinho provides his verdict on Real Madrid star ahead of Malaga clash
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has hailed Jude Bellingham ahead of his side’s LaLiga clash against Malaga. Mourinho credited the England international for his goalscoring ability, midfield prowess, as well as his mental and physical strengths.
During the pre-match press conference, Mourinho stated (via Managing Madrid):
“He’s unique. Super important for the team. He has different talents: physical, mental, tactical, ball recovery, his goal-scoring ability, his aerial game. He’s impressive. I really like talking about Kylian, Vini, Jude. I understand the questions.”
He added:
“But I’m very happy with everyone. As I said, here we only have great players and truly great players. The team has to function as a team. Real Madrid fans go to the Bernabéu to see these exceptional players, but they also go to see a team play as a team, suffer as a team, face difficulties as a team, and dominate as a team. I’m the coach of that team, and I really like the players I have.”
Bellingham has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world since joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. The 23-year-old has garnered 47 goals and 35 assists in 142 appearances across all competitions, helping Los Blancos win five trophies, including the 2023-24 treble.
Edited by Silas Sud
