Jose Mourinho has named a Real Madrid starting line-up featuring Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz for Sunday evening’s friendly against Schalke, while new signing Yan Diomande begins the match on the substitutes’ bench.
The Portuguese manager has chosen Mbappe to lead the attack, with Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz selected alongside him. The decision means Diomande, the Ivory Coast international who has recently joined Real Madrid, will have to wait for his opportunity from the bench.
Mourinho’s selection includes a number of prominent names across the team, with Thibaut Courtois starting in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Ibrahima Konate form the defensive line in front of him.
Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde and Arda Guler are named in midfield, providing the starting XI with a blend of experience and youth. Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Brahim Diaz complete the side in the attacking positions.
Real Madrid’s starting line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, Ibrahima Konate
Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Federico Valverde, Arda Guler
Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe
Diomande’s place among the substitutes is the main talking point from Mourinho’s team announcement. The Ivorian forward has not been selected to start despite being included in the matchday squad for the meeting with Schalke.
Instead, Mourinho has opted for a front three built around the established attacking partnership of Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, with Brahim Diaz completing the forward line. The arrangement places Mbappe in the central attacking role, supported by two players capable of operating from wider areas.
The starting team also contains several high-profile additions and regular first-team figures. Alexander-Arnold is included in defence, while Konate and Huijsen are selected at the back. Carreras completes the defensive group on the opposite side.
In midfield, Silva joins Valverde and Guler, giving Real Madrid a technically strong central unit for the friendly. Courtois will provide the final line of defence as Mourinho’s side takes on Schalke.
The match gives Mourinho the chance to assess a Real Madrid team led by some of the club’s biggest attacking names, while Diomande must wait for a possible appearance after the interval or later in the contest.
