Arda Güler substitution tactics at Real Madrid under scrutiny

Spanish media reports suggest that Real Madrid manager José Mourinho is frequently substituting Arda Güler regardless of the player's performance on the pitch. Journalist Xavier Bosch, writing for Mundo Deportivo, argues that these decisions are driven by group dynamics and ego management rather than tactical necessity.

Following a loss to Real Betis, Bosch noted that Güler had taken a leading role in the match, yet was substituted while the score was still 0-0. The report claims that because stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior are considered untouchable, Güler becomes the primary candidate for substitution. In the Betis match, Güler was replaced by Diomande, after which Madrid lost tactical direction and subsequently conceded a goal.

A similar pattern was observed during a match against Espanyol, where Güler was reportedly the best player on the field at a 1-1 draw but was still substituted. Bosch suggests Mourinho prioritizes avoiding friction with high-profile players and seeks to justify the club's expensive signing of Diomande. The analysis concludes that failing to respect sporting merit could lead to internal crises and benefit rivals like FC Barcelona.