Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly determined to maintain his preferred midfield partnership of Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde despite growing criticism of their recent performances. Madrid Universal reported the development on Saturday, October 17, 2026, suggesting that the Portuguese coach remains committed to his selection despite questions over the pair’s effectiveness.

Real Madrid’s dramatic comeback against Roma in the UEFA Champions League highlighted the team’s resilience, but their performance before the interval raised concerns. Los Blancos struggled to control the midfield and create clear opportunities, allowing their opponents to disrupt their rhythm during the opening stages.

The partnership between Tchouameni and Valverde came under scrutiny once again, with Real Madrid appearing more comfortable after Mourinho introduced Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva. Their arrival reportedly improved the team’s technical quality, passing and ability to retain possession, helping the Spanish side gain greater control as the match progressed.

Despite the contrast between the starting midfield and the team’s improved second-half display, Mourinho is not expected to abandon his preferred combination. According to MARCA, the manager intends to continue trusting Tchouameni and Valverde, with the pair potentially retaining their places for the upcoming encounter against Sevilla.

Mourinho’s approach reflects his preference for physical strength, intensity and tactical discipline in the middle of the pitch. While technical ability remains important, the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager appears to believe that his initial selection offers qualities that may be necessary at particular stages of a match.

Explaining his decision after the Roma encounter, Mourinho defended his choice of starting lineup and suggested that the circumstances of the game influenced his substitutions.

“If we started with the XI who ended the game, they put five past us. There are moments and moments. I had changes to make. They were going to get tired, the cards were going to arrive,” Mourinho said.

His remarks indicate that concerns about fatigue, the timing of substitutions and the possibility of players receiving bookings were among the factors behind his decisions. Rather than viewing the changes solely as a response to poor performances, Mourinho appeared to emphasize the importance of managing the game over its full duration.

One potential solution would be to deploy Valverde at right-back, a role he has handled effectively in previous seasons. He moved into that position after Guler entered the match against Roma, demonstrating the tactical flexibility he can offer.

Moving Valverde to defence could allow Mourinho to preserve the midfielder’s energy and physical contribution while creating an opportunity to introduce another technically gifted player into the central area. Such an adjustment would offer a possible balance between the manager’s preference for intensity and the team’s need for creativity and improved possession.

With El Clasico approaching, Mourinho faces increasing pressure to find the right midfield balance. The upcoming match against Sevilla could provide a clearer indication of whether he will continue with his established partnership or make tactical changes to address the concerns exposed against Roma.