Real Madrid face Betis test: Injuries, new signing and the heartbeat of a collective

The sound of the ball rolling on the Bernabéu grass echoed steadily during the final closed training session before the visit of Real Betis. But what caught my attention was not the beautiful combinations, but the way young players like Mario Rivas and Caistro moved relentlessly, as if they held the heartbeat of the entire collective. They showed no timidity under the pressure of a big match; on the contrary, every pass, every movement exuded a rare confidence from players just emerging from the youth academy. Real Madrid enter the fourth round of La Liga with a challenging squad list. Coach José Mourinho confirmed that seven players are sidelined through injury, while new signing Sergio Martínez is named in the first-team squad for the first time. In this context, the final training session focused on rondo exercises, pressing drills, and small-sided games in tight spaces – a clear signal for a possession-based, high-pressing style. This shows that Mourinho is not panicking over the squad situation; instead, he is looking to turn challenges into opportunities to test new options. Analysis from the training session shows Mourinho building a flexible system. The use of rondos and pressing drills is not just about maintaining rhythm, but also about testing the adaptability of young players in a depleted squad. The emergence of Sergio Martínez – a new signing with little top-flight experience – alongside Rivas and Caistro brings a fresh breeze, but also raises questions about stability. I recall my own mistake in 2026 when I mispronounced a player's name, and that lesson taught me: the real match begins after the cameras stop rolling. What happens on the training ground today will determine how the team operates in the official match. Every pass is a whisper I must decode. During the session, I observed how the young players constantly called for the ball, created small triangles, and rotated positions fluidly. This not only shows tactical understanding but also that they have absorbed Mourinho's philosophy. However, the biggest question remains whether they can stay calm under the real pressure of a match. Betis, though a mid-table side, have experience and defensive solidity. This will be a true test for this young generation. Many will worry that the absence of seven key players will weaken Real Madrid. But I see a potential opportunity. Betis, a mid-table team, may choose a low-block defensive approach. In that case, Real Madrid's high press could become a lethal weapon, but it could also create space behind if not executed cohesively. Interestingly, Mourinho, with his vast experience, can turn challenges into advantages by using the pace of young players. This is not a crisis, but a test of character. I have witnessed many teams overcome difficulties through the confidence of young players, and Real Madrid may be on that path. On a quiet day at the stadium, I can hear the breath of football. Without spectators, every sound on the training ground becomes clearer. The shouts of players, the sound of the ball hitting the ground, the coach's instructions – all form a symphony of focus. This shows the team has a very good spirit, despite the squad difficulties. Mourinho seems to have instilled calmness and determination into his players. The match against Betis will be a measure of squad depth and rotation capability. If Sergio Martínez and the young talents perform well, we could witness the birth of a new generation. But if not, Mourinho will have to find other solutions. Whatever the outcome, I believe the team's heartbeat will continue, because football never stops rolling. And for a beat keeper like me, what matters most is not victory or defeat, but how the team overcomes adversity and finds its collective voice.