After Mourinho's surprise: Brahim Diaz breaks his silence with a striking message
How did he react?
Brahim Diaz did not expect to start Real Madrid's opening league match on the bench, not after featuring so regularly through pre-season. Yet his exclusion never turned into a crisis, thanks to the mutual trust between the player and Jose Mourinho.
Spanish website "Defensa Central" report, via people close to the player, that he felt no anger or resentment at being left out against Elche. He understood the Portuguese coach had picked Bellingham to start, then turned to new signing Yan Diomande in the second half ahead of him.
He wants to play, naturally. But the Real Madrid man feels his importance to the team and knows Mourinho rates him, especially after the coach told him he was ready to hand him a start in the upcoming clash with Real Sociedad. That keeps him calm and focused on proving himself.
Competition within the squad won't be easy, Brahim believes, not with so many high-quality players around him. As he put it: "The best players are here, and it is difficult even to get a chance to play."
Mourinho hands Brahim a flexible tactical brief. He sees him capable of filling more than one position, particularly in matches where the team needs someone who can drop into midfield and help control the game. That could open up more minutes across the season.
Diomande's arrival doesn't spell a reduced role either. The coaching staff reckon the Spaniard can cover a number of the jobs expected of the new man, depending on the shape of each match and Mourinho's tactical needs.
Early in the season, the Portuguese coach is in no rush to pass final judgement on his players' roles. He has spoken to members of the squad about their initial duties, with the door open to changing them according to the level each one hits.
Brahim may begin in something short of a starting role. But Mourinho promised him plenty of chances and serious playing time, which turns the upcoming Real Sociedad match into an early shot for the midfielder to show he deserves a bigger place in the coach's plans.
