Mourinho faces midfield crisis before Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Inter

Jose Mourinho is facing a significant selection problem before Real Madrid’s eagerly anticipated Champions League clash with Inter, with a shortage of fit midfielders potentially forcing the Portuguese manager to consider unconventional solutions.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid will be without Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga for the match because of suspension. Aurelien Tchouameni is also expected to miss out as he continues to recover from injury.

The situation leaves Mourinho with only Federico Valverde available as a natural, fully fit central midfielder at present. The lack of options could lead the manager to alter his formation or use players in positions they do not normally occupy.

Jude Bellingham is reportedly among the leading candidates to move into midfield. Mourinho generally prefers to deploy the England international behind the striker and close to the penalty area, where his goalscoring ability can have the greatest impact.

However, Bellingham could return to a deeper role against Inter, allowing Brahim Diaz to operate as the attacking midfielder while Real Madrid retain their familiar 4-2-3-1 system.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is another possibility. Mourinho has previously used him in roles that give him the freedom to move inside from a wider position, and the manager could opt for a 4-3-3 formation featuring Alexander-Arnold, Valverde and Bellingham in midfield.

Under that plan, Alexander-Arnold would be positioned on the right side of the midfield, Bellingham would operate on the left and Valverde would occupy the central role.

AS also identified Dean Huijsen as a more adventurous option. The Spain international possesses strong technical ability and is comfortable in possession, which could make him a candidate for an unexpected midfield assignment.

The newspaper wrote: “Dean Huijsen appears to be a more daring solution, especially because he possesses great quality in dealing with the ball, while Jorge Cestero represents another option from the club’s academy, particularly with Thiago Pitarch still absent through injury and Manuel Angel having left for Fulham.”

Mourinho is familiar with Huijsen’s abilities. He previously requested the player on loan for Roma when Huijsen was at Juventus. The Spanish-Dutch defender also began his development in youth football as a striker before later converting to the centre-back position.

Using Huijsen in midfield could give Real Madrid greater quality in possession and help with the construction of attacks. However, the move could also affect the team’s ability to play the ball out from the back, particularly if Rudiger and Konate are selected as the central defensive pairing.

With suspensions and injuries limiting Mourinho’s conventional choices, the manager may have to decide between reshaping Real Madrid’s midfield structure and asking a defender to perform a role outside his usual position.

Readers can discuss the subject and follow the latest developments in greater depth on the Kooora forums.