Two signings that change the face of Real Madrid

The Real Madrid of José Mourinho is beginning to find a recognizable identity thanks to two footballers who are changing its midfield: Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler. The Portuguese arrived this summer to provide calm, insight, and organizational capacity, while the Turk, who was incorporated last summer, is gaining a different prominence under the orders of the Portuguese coach. They are not two signings from the same market, but they are two additions that are transforming the team's performance.

The commitment had a turning point in the Clásico against Barcelona and continued against Racing de Santander. Mourinho found a formula that allows him to bring together two of the most technically gifted players in the squad without sacrificing balance. The key is that they do not play at the same height: Bernardo plays alongside Tchouaméni at the base of the midfield, while Güler moves a few meters ahead, with the freedom to appear inside and connect with the attackers.

Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler, a partnership that improves Madrid

The analysis published by Marco Ruiz in AS on November 6, 2026, under the title The formula of the playmakers takes off, includes data that help explain the impact of this combination. Against Atlético Madrid, in the match that ended with a Madrid defeat, the team had a 39% possession and completed 393 passes. Against Racing, with Bernardo and Güler sharing the pitch, they reached 53% possession and 529 completed passes.

The difference is also evident in the accuracy of circulation. According to the same information from AS, Real Madrid went from a 77% pass accuracy in the opposing half against Atlético to nearly 90% against Racing. In addition, they registered 22 shots at El Sardinero, compared to eight in the match at the Metropolitano.

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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 7, 2026

The most interesting statistic, however, is the connection between the two. Bernardo found Güler seven times with through passes against Racing. The Turk, in turn, connected eight times with Mbappé and ten times with Bellingham. The Portuguese recorded 46 touches, while the Ottoman reached 61. In the Clásico, their records were 34 and 60, respectively.

These figures support the improvement in circulation and connection between lines, although comparing two different matches does not allow attributing the entire change exclusively to this pair.

Bernardo's signing boosts Güler's growth

The arrival of Bernardo Silva has allowed Mourinho to find an organizer capable of maintaining the flow of play and connecting with the offensive players. His influence also benefits Güler, who no longer has to bear the entire creative responsibility of the team on his own.

In his analysis of the Clásico published on October 26, Lorenzo Calonge, in El País, explained how Mourinho had staggered the two players. Bernardo occupied the center alongside Tchouaméni, while Güler started from the right with the freedom to approach the area. The Turk was the Madrid player who shot the most on goal, with three attempts, and also created the most chances, with two.

Therefore, we can speak of two signings that are changing the face of Real Madrid, although the situation of both is different. Bernardo is the signing that has come to modify the midfield, while Güler represents a kind of internal reinforcement: a player who was already in the squad but is now finding the context to unleash his virtues.

Tchouaméni, the piece that allows both playmakers to thrive

The partnership is not complete without Aurélien Tchouaméni. The Frenchman provides physical deployment, recovery, and defensive protection, enabling Bernardo to focus on organization and giving Güler more freedom to seek spaces between the lines.

Mourinho explained after the Clásico that he prefers to combine different profiles in midfield. "Having a combination of talents gives us more than having two players with similar characteristics," said the coach, who highlighted the defensive balance and the quality in organizing attacks that this mix provides.

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— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 6, 2026

Madrid has gone through various combinations at the start of the season, but the formula with Tchouaméni and Bernardo at the base, and Güler ahead, has offered positive signs in their first major tests. The victory against Barcelona and the continuity against Racing have reinforced the commitment.

Bernardo Silva and Arda Güler are changing the face of Real Madrid. One provides the control the team needed, and the other is turning that context into an opportunity for growth. The Portuguese is the signing of the summer; the Turk is the reinforcement that Mourinho is managing to extract from within the squad.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Dos fichajes que cambian la cara al Real Madrid