Cestero stays on the bench against Inter despite midfield absences

Against Inter in the Champions League, Cestero was included in the squad but did not play a single minute. Despite the suspensions of Güler, Camavinga and Bernardo, and Thiago and Tchouaméni returning to a squad after lengthy absences, Mou chose to try Trent alongside Valverde instead of giving the youngster his chance. The decision fits a wider picture: three tributes, but no appearances for the young players involved. In recent months they have been celebrated for their success without receiving a notable role in the first-team preparations or the ongoing competitive season.

The Bernabéu crowd rose to welcome the 23 academy players who won the under-20 Intercontinental Cup on 19 September. The moment extended a run of celebrations for three titles: the Youth League in April, the under-19 European Championship in August and the under-20 Intercontinental Cup last Saturday. In total, 31 academy players have been honoured: 11 at one ceremony, 15 at two and five at all three, including Yáñez, Fortea, Aguado, Mario Rivas and Javi Navarro.

Thiago Pitarch is also still waiting for an opportunity. After spending three weeks with Castilla to regain match fitness during the break, he has yet to end the run of young champions without a first-team appearance. On Saturday against Villarreal, no Castilla defender was on the bench while Huijsen, Asencio and Militao were absent; Mourinho may have had other options within his squad, such as Tchouaméni or Dumfries.

The situation is not specifically a criticism of Mourinho, who has only just arrived and faces a difficult setting in which to back academy players. Madrid has long invested in young talent and, in recent seasons, signed many players under 20, including Vinicius, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Güler, Camavinga and Huijsen. For now, however, the young players being celebrated have not received the role their achievements and the changes in the squad might lead one to expect.