Mourinho confirms squad availability ahead Of Elche clash, emphasises rotation and injury management

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho said the majority of his squad will be fit for Saturday's LaLiga encounter with Elche, but the final lineup will be confirmed after a review of medical reports and training data. He stressed that with only two days between fixtures, the club must "understand sensations, listen to the medical department, the data from the session and decide between today and tomorrow". If no abnormalities are detected, the same players who featured in the previous match are expected to start again.

Mourinho acknowledged the challenge of guaranteeing a permanent starter in a squad as deep as Madrid's. He highlighted that while Diomande "doesn't lack anything", the competition for places is fierce, mentioning the likes of Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga and Vinícius as examples of players who must earn minutes each week. "Being an undisputed starter is very difficult," he added.

On tactics, the Portuguese coach said he is not locked into a single formation and can adjust the midfield shape according to the opponent. "It can be 2+1, 1-+2, we can play with a 6 and two 8s," Mourinho explained, noting that the goal is to keep the entire roster "plugged in" and motivated without compromising the team's identity.

Injury prevention was another key theme. Mourinho described a "global, professional plan" that integrates the technical staff, medical department and individualized training sessions. He pointed to recent positive injury statistics and cited Valverde’s halftime substitution as a precautionary measure: "With a 0-0 we would have continued, but with a 3-0 we protect the player." The manager emphasized that while luck plays a role in avoiding traumatic injuries, the club's systematic approach aims to minimise risk.

Regarding French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, Mourinho said his minutes will be managed carefully, especially with the upcoming national team break. He expressed confidence that Zinedine Zidane will balance the player's club and country duties: "I have confidence that Zidane will do the right thing without harming the player's future."

Finally, Mourinho joked about the demanding press schedule, admitting fatigue but reaffirming his commitment: "I'm tired of you, you're tired of me, but here we are – it's our job." He concluded by reminding fans that both Real Madrid and Elche played on Saturday, and the teams are ready for the upcoming showdown.