The Weekly Real Madrid Digest

Mourinho's Madrid take a six-game charge to Athens

Three points off the top, perfect in Europe and ready to rotate, Real Madrid face AEK with a squad that has learned to win ugly as well as pretty.

Six straight wins, a Clásico taken at the Camp Nou and a clean sheet at El Sardinero: Real Madrid arrive in Athens looking more like a José Mourinho side every week. Sunday's 3-0 at Racing Santander (ESPN report) was not vintage, but it was controlled, and it kept Madrid three points behind leaders Barcelona after 11 league games.

Wednesday's opponent, AEK Athens, sit 29th in the Champions League's league phase on three points; Madrid are fourth on nine, level with four other sides (NBC Sports table). On paper this is the softest European away trip of the autumn. Mourinho's squad list says he believes it, too: Arda Güler and Aurélien Tchouaméni stayed in Madrid (official squad).

How the machine works

The shape is a 4-2-3-1 on the team sheet (ESPN lineup) but the identity is in the midfield. Mourinho has moved Federico Valverde to right-back in recent weeks and handed the creative controls to Güler and Bernardo Silva, with Tchouaméni as the screen. Mourinho has called himself "not a stubborn coach" and credited the tweak (LiveScore roundup).

The results since the change are striking: 4-1 against Sevilla, 4-1 against RB Leipzig, 2-1 in Barcelona and 3-0 at Racing. Against Racing, ESPN's numbers had Madrid on 22 shots to 10, seven on target to one, and 3.45 expected goals to 1.15. That is not a side scraping by.

The Clásico was the proof of resilience. With Vinícius suspended and Courtois ill, Andriy Lunin started in goal and Kylian Mbappé scored twice, the second from Eduardo Camavinga's pass three minutes from time (match report). Courtois said afterwards that Lunin "won us El Clásico".

"Que futbolistas de ataque hagan ese esfuerzo defensivo transmite un mensaje inmejorable a todo el vestuario." (Attacking players making that defensive effort sends the best possible message to the whole dressing room.)

José Mourinho, after Racing 0-3 Real Madrid, via Récord

The Diomande effect

The other quiet revolution is on the left. Yan Diomande, the 19-year-old signed from Leipzig for a club-record fee in August (Al Jazeera), has kept Vinícius out of the conversation during his four-match league ban. Diomande has at least four goals, including the first-time strike into the top corner at Racing, and created Mbappé's opener at the Camp Nou.

Vinícius is eligible again in Europe and travels to Athens, but he still has to serve the last game of his league ban at Valencia on Saturday (Al Jazeera). That gives Mourinho a selection headache he has clearly enjoyed creating: the most expensive teenager in the club's history against its vice-captain.

Rotation, and a warning

Mourinho was blunt on Sunday about the schedule. "Tchouaméni isn't playing on Wednesday. So he plays 90 minutes today," he said (Yahoo Sports), and he sarcastically thanked LaLiga for the "gift" of a Sunday game followed by a Saturday one (Récord). Madrid Universal expects three or four changes in Athens, with Camavinga, Dumfries, Carreras, Rüdiger, Endrick and Brahim in contention (single-sourced).

The warning sign is defensive. Madrid conceded three in Rome and needed three corners in the last eight minutes to win 4-3 (theScore). AEK have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, but The Hard Tackle reports seven straight home wins with 30 goals scored and one conceded (single-sourced). A raucous Allwyn Arena is no place for a half-hearted second string.

Mourinho is also asking for more than goals. "Attacking players making that defensive effort sends the best possible message to the whole dressing room," he said after Racing. If Madrid take three points in Athens, they will be on 12 with four games to play in the league phase, and well placed for a top-eight finish.

The Mbappé meme that cost a market

A throwaway line about Mao Zedong has cost Mbappé three Chinese sponsors, taken La Liga off Chinese state television and brought an apology from the club itself.

It began with a meme. In a French podcast video, since taken down, Kylian Mbappé discussed an image that put his face on pictures of Mao Zedong and referred to "some guy, I think he's a Chinese dictator" (Khaleej Times/AFP). The reaction in China was swift.

Drinks company Dongpeng and dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground ended their partnerships with the player, and CMG, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, suspended La Liga broadcasts (Kuwait Times/AFP). Mbappé apologised. Real Madrid then issued its own statement, saying it "wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people" and "maintains a deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens".

China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on October 28: "We take seriously the apology the individual concerned has made." LaLiga apologised too (Inside World Football), and president Javier Tebas said on November 2 that he is talking to Chinese authorities "both in Madrid and in Beijing" and will wait (El Informador).

Why it matters

China is one of the club's biggest overseas fan bases and a key commercial market. On the pitch Mbappé has been unaffected: he scored twice in the Clásico and converted the penalty at Racing. Off it, he has lost three sponsors, and La Liga's presence on Chinese state television depends on how Beijing judges the apologies.

Racing Santander 0-3 Real Madrid

Sunday, November 1, El Sardinero. Goals: Mbappé (pen) 11', Bellingham 21', Diomande 36'.

These are the Digest's own ratings, informed by the ESPN report, Vavel España and The 4th Official. Endrick (on at 85 minutes) played under ten minutes and is not rated. Madrid had 54 per cent possession and 22 shots; a Racing penalty for a Tchouaméni handball was overturned after a monitor review.

Chart: the Digest's marks out of 10 for Racing Santander 0-3 Real Madrid, the same numbers as the ratings list.

AEK Athens: loud at home, leaking in Europe

Marko Nikolić's side have one Champions League win and a striker Madrid know well.

AEK Athens are coached by Marko Nikolić and usually line up with two strikers; previews disagree on whether it is a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-3-2 (Goal, The Hard Tackle). Their European campaign so far reads 1-0 against LASK, 3-1 defeat at Shakhtar and a 5-1 loss to Manchester City: eight conceded in two games.

Domestic form has dipped. They lost 3-1 to PAOK in the cup and 2-0 to Panathinaikos in the league, their first league defeat of the season, before beating Panetolikos 5-0. At home, though, The Hard Tackle reports seven straight wins (single-sourced).

Who to stop

Barnabás Varga is the top scorer with nine goals in 13 games (Sports Mole). Alongside him is Luka Jović, Madrid's former striker, with seven in 15. Lovro Majer is the creator between the lines and João Mário provides the running from midfield.

Goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha is out with a hand injury, so Brignoli is expected to start; João Mário and Lazaros Rota are doubtful with illness. The vulnerability is obvious: a two-striker side that has shipped eight goals in two European games should leave space for Mbappé and Diomande to run into.

JJ Gabriel edges closer as Madrid shut the January door

No senior signings planned this winter, a 16-year-old prodigy in the pipeline and a Liverpool approach for Trent that Fabrizio Romano says never really happened.

JJ Gabriel: advanced talks, not yet official

Real Madrid are pushing to sign JJ Gabriel, the 16-year-old Manchester United academy forward (profile). Fabrizio Romano reported on October 14 that Madrid had made direct contact with United (via CaughtOffside).

Barcelona daily Sport reported that Madrid accepted the terms set by the player's camp, a package reported at €10m or more over three years (Football365), and on November 1 that Gabriel had turned down an improved PSG offer (Football365). TEAMtalk says Madrid are confident of a January deal but that "important discussions remain", with Barcelona, Bayern and Dortmund still circling (TEAMtalk).

Certainty: advanced talks, with reported agreement on personal terms. Nothing is signed and United have not agreed a deal.

No January signings, and an Endrick question

AS reported over the weekend that the board plans no January signings, trusting the squad after the Clásico win and Bernardo Silva's form (Goal México, citing AS). Any departure would need both the player's request and Mourinho's approval, which AS calls unlikely.

The one name that could test that is Endrick, who has made only one league start this season. TEAMtalk reports Arsenal want a loan with an option to buy, while Milan and Roma offer straight loans (TEAMtalk exclusive, single-sourced for Arsenal). Matteo Moretto has also linked Roma. Madrid prefer a straight loan if he goes at all, and Mourinho wants him to stay. Certainty: concrete interest from other clubs.

Trent: a Liverpool loan story denied

Cadena SER reported on October 29 that Liverpool had asked about taking Trent Alexander-Arnold back on loan. Romano said on November 2 that Liverpool "never started any kind of concrete or serious conversation" and that player and club are aligned on him staying at least to the end of the season (Football365). Certainty: rumour, denied.

Planning for 2027

The longer view is a defensive midfielder and a centre-back to replace Antonio Rüdiger, whose one-year extension runs to June 2027 (El Español). Rodri chose Barcelona in August, and ESPN's Rodra says Mourinho wanted a more physical profile anyway (Defensa Central). Romano has said a midfielder is wanted in 2027, most likely in the summer.

AS adds that no decision on buy-back options for Jacobo Ramón, Nico Paz, Rafa Marín or Víctor Muñoz will be made until spring (ESPN). Moretto says Ramón could return for about €8m to €9m (Defensa Central); Como confirmed in June that Paz stays this season with Madrid retaining an option (Goal).

Valverde's return and a defence that keeps changing

Mourinho has the luxury of choice almost everywhere except at the back and on the left.

Federico Valverde, the captain, felt discomfort in his thigh during the Clásico and missed Racing, but scans ruled out a serious injury and he is in the squad for Athens (Infobae/EFE). Vinícius, the vice-captain, is back for Europe after a red card against Villarreal for pulling an opponent's hair.

Güler and Tchouaméni were left out for load management, not injury (FútbolFantasy). Castilla's Sergio Martínez travels with academy regulars Thiago Pitarch and third goalkeeper Sergio Mestre (official squad).

The back four

Éder Militão returned against Sevilla after hamstring surgery in April and is in the travelling party. Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konaté started both the Clásico and Racing. Trent is effectively third choice at right-back behind Valverde and Dumfries, though Mourinho praised his "masterclass" on Sunday, per LiveScore.

Raúl Asencio had surgery on October 1 for a stress fracture of the right tibia, and Rodrygo is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus; both are expected back in early 2027 (Sports Illustrated). Ferland Mendy trains with the group but has not been cleared and is not registered for the league phase.

Form and set pieces

Mbappé reached 100 Madrid goals in his 116th game at the Clásico (club) and has 12 league goals, per LaLiga. Bellingham's goal at Racing was his first since September and his 50th for the club. Madrid's set pieces are a weapon: all three late goals in Rome came from corners.

Castilla bounce back; the Juvenil A keep winning

A home win for Castilla, a perfect European record for the under-19s and goals for two Madrid exports in Florence.

Real Madrid Castilla beat Cartagena 2-0 at the Alfredo Di Stéfano on Saturday with goals from Pol Fortuny and Alexis Ciria inside 17 minutes (club report). It was a third straight home win after a 2-0 defeat at Algeciras, and lifts Julián López de Lerma's side to ninth in Primera Federación Group 2 on 15 points (Vavel table).

The Juvenil A, coached by Álvaro López, won 5-0 at Toledo and lead División de Honor Group 5 on 22 points, three clear of Rayo Vallecano (club). They are also top of their UEFA Youth League group with three wins from three, including 5-2 against Leipzig, and play at AEK on Wednesday.

Loan and alumni watch

Franco Mastantuono, on loan at Fiorentina, scored a first-time left-footer in a 4-2 win at Sassuolo on Monday, his fourth goal in 12 games (La Nación). Víctor Valdepeñas, sold to Fiorentina in the summer, came on for him and scored too (OA Sport).

At Como, Nico Paz played 73 minutes of a 1-0 win over Venezia and Jacobo Ramón went the full 90, called "insurmountable" by TuttoMercatoWeb (ratings). Paz has three goals and three assists in Serie A and scored twice against Manchester United in the Champions League on October 21 (Infobae).

Late goals keep the Femenino on Barcelona's heels

A thrilling draw in Munich and a comeback in Seville leave Pau Quesada's side second in Liga F.

Real Madrid Femenino led Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Women's Champions League on Wednesday through Athenea del Castillo and Lineth Beerensteyn, only for Bayern to draw level by the 52nd minute (club report). Three draws in three leave Madrid unbeaten in Europe but still without a win.

On Sunday they won 3-1 at Sevilla. Felicia Schröder scored early, Sevilla equalised, and substitutes Caruso (86') and Beerensteyn (88') settled it after Madrid hit the woodwork twice (club report). Athenea played her 150th league game for the club. Madrid are second, two points behind Barcelona (OKDiario).

Next up

Madrid visit Athletic Club at Lezama on Saturday at 7:00am Pacific (Las Futbolistas), then host Paris FC in the Champions League on Tuesday, November 10, at 9:45am Pacific (club). Summer signing Schröder, from Häcken, is the side's leading scorer.

The November window: who goes where

No internationals this week, but the call-ups are landing. The FIFA window runs November 9 to 17.

Brazil have named Vinícius Júnior and Endrick for friendlies in Singapore against Japan (November 14) and Singapore (November 17); Militão is not included (CBF).

Spain announce their squad on Friday, November 6, for a trip to Czechia on November 12 and England at the Metropolitano on November 15 (Infobae/EFE). England, with Bellingham and Trent the Madrid candidates, host Croatia on November 12 (The FA).

France, coached by Zinédine Zidane, name their squad on November 6 for Italy away (November 12) and Turkey in Bordeaux (November 15) (FFF). If selected, Mbappé and Camavinga could meet Güler's Turkey. Belgium, likely with Courtois, visit Turkey on November 12 (per UEFA's Nations League calendar).

In European club action this week, Real Madrid play AEK on Wednesday and the Femenino host Paris FC on November 10. Valverde's Uruguay and other squads were not yet published at the time of writing.

Also: the club reported record revenue of €1,221m for 2025-26 in July (club), and its La Liga squad-cost limit for this season is reported at €832m, the league's highest (Foot Africa).

• Negreira case. Barcelona's defamation suit against Florentino Pérez has a conciliation hearing set for November 25 in Madrid (Yahoo). UEFA confirmed on October 1 it had received Madrid's dossier on the case (Inside World Football).
• Ownership plan. Pérez is expected to ask members to approve moving some assets into a club-controlled company with about €1bn of outside investment; one report puts the assembly on November 21 (single-sourced, Africa Soccer).
• Courtois and Güler. Romano and Marca report agreement in principle on one more year for Courtois (Football España); AS reports Güler has agreed terms to 2031 (Daily Sabah). Neither is announced.
• Sardinero incident. A lighter was thrown from the stands near an assistant referee on Sunday; LiveScore reports Racing could be fined.
• Press conference. Mourinho and a player speak at the Allwyn Arena at 8:30am Pacific today, after this edition went to press (club).

The week ahead, in Pacific time

Wed Nov 4, 9:45am PT: AEK Athens v Real Madrid, Champions League, Allwyn Arena. Paramount+ (listing).

Wed Nov 4: AEK v Real Madrid Juvenil A, UEFA Youth League (kickoff time not confirmed by the club).

Sat Nov 7, 7:00am PT: Athletic Club v Real Madrid Femenino, Liga F, Lezama.

Sat Nov 7, 12:00pm PT: Valencia v Real Madrid, La Liga, Mestalla (club confirms 21:00 in Spain). US: ESPN+ / ESPN Deportes, per ESPN schedule.

Sun Nov 8, 3:00am PT: Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid Juvenil A, División de Honor (first v second).

Sun Nov 8, 7:00am PT: Real Madrid Castilla v Hércules, Primera Federación (Futbolme).

Tue Nov 10, 9:45am PT: Real Madrid Femenino v Paris FC, Women's Champions League.

Nov 12, 11:45am PT: England v Croatia (Wembley); Italy v France (San Siro).

Nov 14, 2:15am PT: Brazil v Japan, friendly in Singapore.

Nov 15, 11:45am PT: Spain v England (Metropolitano); France v Turkey (Bordeaux).

After the international break, Madrid host Celta on November 21 and PSV in the Champions League on November 24. Standings: La Liga top six below, Real Madrid third on 27 points; Valencia are 19th on 9 (Vavel).

Chart: La Liga top six after matchday 11 (Real Madrid tinted). Source: Vavel standings.