Mourinho's Real Madrid Led Fiorentina by Two and Drew, Which Is a Recognisable Start

Jose Mourinho's first match in charge of Real Madrid ended 2-2 against Fiorentina at the Worthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt on 1 August. Endrick and academy forward Alexis Ciria put Madrid two goals ahead inside the first half before Roberto Piccoli and Moise Kean brought Fiorentina level.

The team sheet is the more informative document. Mourinho started eight first team players, Andriy Lunin, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Denzel Dumfries and Endrick, alongside three from the academy in Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas and Ciria. Dumfries played 75 minutes and Carlos Espi had a late header to win it.

Three academy starters in a first match is a choice, not an accident of availability. It is the cheapest way for a new manager to see who can play at this level and it puts every senior player on notice that the position is open. Mourinho has run this exact opening before at other clubs.

The result itself carries almost no information. Preseason friendlies in early August are conditioning sessions with a scoreboard attached, and a two goal lead surrendered in a match where eleven positions turn over says more about substitutions than about defending.

What is worth watching is Endrick. He scored, he started, and he has spent two seasons being described as a player Madrid could not find a role for. A manager arriving with no history in the previous selection decisions is the best chance a forward in that position gets.