Real Madrid are navigating a difficult spell under Jose Mourinho, with the club sitting fourth in LaLiga on 15 points from seven games after a 1-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano last month. That result has added pressure to a start that defender Marc Cucurella has publicly defended, urging patience as the squad adapts to Mourinho's methods.

The problems are mounting ahead of Saturday's home fixture against Villarreal. Mourinho is dealing with a significant defensive crisis, with Tchouameni among those unavailable through injury or suspension, forcing the manager to consider emergency solutions including academy players. On top of that, reports suggest Vinicius Jr could be dropped to the bench for the Villarreal match as Mourinho looks to address a dip in form from his Brazilian forward before El Clasico arrives on October 25.

Kylian Mbappe's fitness situation adds another layer of concern. Mourinho is taking a cautious approach with the forward following a knee injury, prioritising his availability for the Clasico over short-term selection. Amid the squad turbulence, there was at least one piece of positive news: Arda Guler has signed a contract extension until 2031, securing one of the club's brightest talents for the long term. The Villarreal fixture on October 10 now represents a critical opportunity to build confidence before the season's defining weeks begin.