Real Madrid may have lifted the Teresa Herrera Trophy, but manager Mourinho was more interested in what the demanding contest against Deportivo revealed about his evolving squad.
Madrid secured a narrow victory at Riazor to claim the historic trophy, but the result was only part of the objective for Mourinho.
With the new season approaching, the Portuguese coach used the encounter to test different combinations, manage minutes and expose his players to the kind of difficult away-day atmosphere they could face during the campaign.
Speaking to Realmadrid TV after the match, Mourinho praised Deportivo for making Real Madrid work for the result.
“It was a serious match against a team returning to La Liga . This trophy has a long tradition for them, and they gave their all. They forced us to play seriously; it was a difficult match,” Mourinho said.
Pre-season is not simply about collecting victories for Mourinho.
The Real Madrid boss wants his entire squad prepared for the demands ahead, meaning careful management of playing time remains a priority.
That was evident against Deportivo, with Mourinho deliberately sharing minutes between his players.
“Obviously, I have to make changes because I have to give everyone a chance. I don’t want to give too many minutes to the same players. Today, 45 minutes for Valverde and 45 minutes for Arda Güler.
“It’s not that this match is about winning, although it is about winning, but more about working, giving minutes, and experimenting.”
The approach reflects the bigger picture at Madrid. Mourinho is still assessing his options and searching for the combinations that can give his team balance when competitive football begins.
One of the biggest positives for Mourinho was the team’s determination to find a way to win despite the constant changes.
The manager believes that ability could prove particularly valuable during the La Liga season, where away matches can often become tactical battles rather than free-flowing contests.
“One thing I like is that, in a match this difficult and with so many changes—more than just changes in players’ structure and roles—the team played for a result.
“And we’ll have many matches like this in La Liga, mainly away from home, where you’re not able to put the game away. And when you do put it away, you win, even if it’s 1-0 like we won today.
“One positive thing is that the team is growing. There are five players working at Valdebebas who haven’t been here, and you already know who they are. We’re taking it step by step, and next week, we’ll be serious.”
That final message is significant. Mourinho knows the standards will rise once Real Madrid move from friendly competition into competitive action.
Despite the relatively low stakes of a summer tournament, Mourinho believes these difficult fixtures are helping his squad develop.
Real Madrid have deliberately increased the level of their pre-season opposition, giving the players a taste of different environments and styles before the season begins.
“The team is progressing in all aspects, but obviously the difficulty of the matches, as we’ve organized them with this objective in mind, is increasing. It’s great to be here, with this atmosphere.
“We know that these summer tournaments are worth what they’re worth. The home team, because of tradition and culture, wants their cup. Competing like this is very good training for us.”
For Mourinho, the Teresa Herrera Trophy is valuable, but it is not the ultimate target.
The bigger objective is to have Real Madrid physically ready, tactically adaptable and mentally prepared when the competitive calendar begins.
The victory over Deportivo offered another test of those qualities. More importantly, it gave Mourinho another opportunity to assess his squad while gradually integrating players who have yet to join the group at Valdebebas.
With pre-season moving towards its final stages, Mourinho’s message is clear: the experimentation will soon give way to serious business.
And if Madrid can carry the resilience shown at Riazor into the new campaign, the early signs suggest Mourinho’s team is beginning to take shape.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
