Mourinho faces dilemma over Güler as substitutions raise questions at Real Madrid

José Mourinho, the Portuguese manager of Real Madrid, is facing a number of tough decisions since taking charge of the team, especially with the squad boasting a large group of stars and new signings. This was clearly evident during the loss against Real Betis, which handed the royal team their first defeat of the season.

The decision to substitute Arda Güler in the middle of the second half raised eyebrows, as Mourinho brought on new signing Diomand to play on the right wing, despite the Turkish player delivering one of his best performances on the pitch.

Juler was not only effective offensively but also contributed defensively, creating seven chances for his teammates, the best figure among Real Madrid players in the match. He also recovered five balls, confirming his notable presence on both the defensive and offensive sides.

However, Mourinho clarified after the match that his decision was not easy, pointing to his concerns about Güler receiving a second yellow card, especially after he had been booked in the first half.

The Portuguese coach stated that Real Betis players were able to target Güler and try to force him into making another mistake, explaining that the Turkish player was having a strong match, but his continued presence on the pitch posed a risk for him.

The argument has previously emerged in Real Madrid's match against Espanyol, when Mourinho decided to substitute Güler after about an hour of play, despite the team's need for a goal to secure victory, and after the player had provided an assist for Jude Bellingham.

It seems that Güler has recently become one of Mourinho's easier options for substitutions, despite the performances the player has been delivering since the start of the season, both during the preparation period and in official matches.

Meanwhile, Mourinho faces other dilemmas within Real Madrid's squad, including how to handle Kylian Mbappé, especially since the French forward enjoys significant confidence and it does not seem easy to take him off the pitch before securing the match result.

The same applies to Bellingham, who did not deliver his best performance against Real Betis, but he remains one of the most important attacking weapons for Real Madrid at the start of the season, making his substitution a more sensitive decision for the coach.

Vinicius Junior poses a special challenge for Mourinho, having previously faced difficulties when Xabi Alonso tried to manage the Brazilian's minutes last season, a venture that did not end ideally. Vinicius always wants to stay on the pitch, and convincing him to come off or reduce his playing time will not be an easy task.

Although Vinicius Junior was not the player substituted against Espanyol, his influence was evident even during periods when he was not at his best, as he created a chance for Espanyol and then won a penalty that Mbappé missed, confirming his ability to make a difference even when he is not performing at his highest level.

Currently, Güler holds his starting position in Real Madrid's lineup as a false right winger, but the presence of Diomande, whose record deal is worth €125 million plus incentives, poses a clear threat to the Turkish player's minutes.

As Mourinho seeks the right balance among his stars, Güler continues to seize every opportunity to prove his worth as a starter. The Turkish player seems convinced that working under Mourinho can help him develop and move to a higher competitive level.

However, Güler's success in establishing his place at Real Madrid will remain linked to his ability to maintain this level, and to the extent of Mourinho's confidence in keeping him on the pitch when tactical decisions become more difficult.