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New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said on Friday he is confident Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham can play effectively together as the Spanish giants prepare to open their La Liga campaign against Espanyol.
Real Madrid will begin their league season away to Espanyol, with Mourinho facing an immediate test of how he balances the club’s attacking stars with defensive discipline.
Former coaches Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa all faced difficulties finding the right balance between attack and defence when fielding Mbappe, Vinicius and Bellingham together.
Real Madrid won the Champions League in 2024 with Bellingham and Vinicius playing key roles. However, since Mbappe joined the club that summer, Madrid have yet to win a major trophy.
Mourinho believes the three stars can form an effective attacking unit despite the tactical challenge.
“They are incredible players and incredible players want to play with incredible players,” Mourinho told reporters.
“Tactically, it could be tricky. Ancelotti has found a set-up with Brazil perfect for Vini, Deschamps has found one with France perfect for Kylian, Tuchel one perfect for Jude, it’s harder for Mourinho to do it for the three of them.”
The Portuguese coach said he is working to ensure all three players are comfortable when playing together.
“We’re on it. I want the three, when all three play, to feel comfortable on the pitch… they are three players of great quality,” he said.
“They don’t play in incompatible positions. We will have a great season with them.”
However, Mourinho warned that Madrid’s attacking stars will also have defensive responsibilities this season as he seeks to establish a more balanced team.
“We have to defend with 11 players,” he said.
“If a team is pushing us back and giving us problems in our final third, we all have to defend.”
Madrid’s opening fixture against Espanyol will therefore offer an early indication of whether Mourinho can successfully integrate the club’s three attacking leaders while maintaining the defensive structure he demands.
