José Mourinho’s interest in Real Madrid’s academy continued Saturday morning as the Portuguese coach attended Castilla’s 2-0 victory over Juventud Torremolinos at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium.
Mourinho was joined by several members of his first-team staff, including assistant coach João Tralhão, goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos, and Sammi Khedira. Their presence reflected the increasingly close connection between the senior team and Castilla during the opening weeks of the season.
The Real Madrid coach
leaned heavily on academy players throughout preseason, with Joan Martínez, Mario Rivas, Manuel Ángel Cestero, and Álvaro Ciria among those receiving opportunities. Several youngsters have since trained regularly with the senior squad and been included in matchday selections.
Navarro, Rivas, Cestero, and Sergio Martínez all travelled to Seville for Friday’s defeat to Real Betis. Martínez’s inclusion was particularly notable: the midfielder had completed only two first-team training sessions after joining Madrid from Racing Santander in a deal reportedly worth €3 million.
The circumstances of the match prevented Martínez from making his senior debut, but Mourinho did not have to wait long to watch the new signing play his first competitive minutes for the club.
Martínez began Saturday’s Castilla match on the bench before replacing Cestero at halftime. Although he is registered with the reserve team and is expected to spend most of the season under Castilla coach Javi López de Lerma, his immediate involvement with Mourinho’s squad suggests that the first-team staff intends to monitor his development closely.
By the time Martínez entered the match, Castilla were already ahead through Cestero.
The opening goal arrived in the 25th minute when the midfielder collected a clearance near the edge of the penalty area and drove a powerful shot into the net. The assistant referee initially raised the flag for an offside against Rachad Fettal during the buildup, but the decision was reviewed using the Football Video Support system. The referee subsequently confirmed the goal.
It was another timely contribution from Cestero, who has quickly emerged as one of the academy players closest to Mourinho’s first-team plans.
Real Madrid will be without the suspended Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler for their upcoming Champions League match against Inter, while Aurélien Tchouaméni has yet to make his season debut. Those absences could create an opening in midfield, and Cestero’s removal at halftime may have been made with the European fixture in mind.
Mourinho’s decision to attend the Castilla match offered another indication that the midfielder remains under serious consideration.
Castilla controlled much of the first half, frequently attacking through the wide combinations of Yáñez and Leiva, with Rachad providing movement through the middle. Naasei also offered energy from right-back after previously featuring alongside Rivas in central defence during the season opener against Teruel.
Juventud Torremolinos produced one of their best opportunities before the opening goal when Joan Martínez and Rivas misjudged a pass toward Loren Buch. Fran González Mestre reacted quickly, leaving his line to close down the attacker and preserve the clean sheet.
The visitors settled into the game after halftime, although they rarely forced Mestre into difficult saves. López de Lerma refreshed Castilla’s attack by introducing Ciria and Mesonero on the hour mark, giving the hosts renewed energy on both wings.
Mesonero twice came close to extending the lead, only for Petersson to block his attempts near the goal line.
The second goal finally arrived in the 85th minute. Ciria created the opening before Pol Fortuny finished the move with a composed first-time strike on his left foot, securing Castilla’s first three points of the season.
The result was valuable for López de Lerma’s side, but Mourinho’s presence was the larger first-team story. The Real Madrid coach has made it clear that the pathway between Castilla and the senior squad will remain open, with Cestero and Sergio Martínez now among the young players attempting to take advantage.
