Jose Mourinho begins Real Madrid mission with Barcelona in his sights

The Portuguese coach returns to Madrid 16 years after first taking charge of the club, and his first competitive match comes away to Espanyol on Saturday.

Mourinho has been brought back after two seasons without a major trophy, with president Florentino Perez hoping the experienced manager can restore discipline, intensity and balance to a team packed with attacking talent.

Real Madrid have endured dressing-room tension and struggled to find the right formula under Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.

The biggest tactical problem has been how to play Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham together without leaving the team exposed defensively.

Mourinho believes his experience can help solve that problem.

"I'm much more mature, less emotional, and more in control - as always, learning from mistakes," the 63-year-old said this week.

However, Mourinho insisted his greater experience had not made him less demanding or less entertaining.

"I'm not more boring," he said.

The former Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester United manager has already outlined what he expects from his players after returning to the Valdebebas training ground.

"I am here - to create a culture of work, responsibility, ambition," Mourinho said, describing his return as a "mission".

Madrid have also backed their new manager in the transfer market.

They paid a club-record 140 million euros for Ivorian winger Yan Diomande and also brought in Bernardo Silva and Marc Cucurella among several major signings.

Diomande gives Mourinho another dangerous attacking option, but Silva could prove even more important to the team's balance.

Madrid have struggled to replace the control provided by Toni Kroos and Luka Modric since the midfield greats moved on. Their ability to dictate the tempo allowed the team's forwards to attack while keeping the side protected.

Silva is not a direct replacement for either player, but his technical ability and experience could give Mourinho greater control in midfield.

Madrid were also linked with Rodri before the midfielder joined Barcelona, leaving questions over whether the squad has enough strength in the middle of the pitch.

That issue could become crucial when Madrid face Barcelona later in the season.

Mourinho knows all about the rivalry. His first spell in Madrid was dominated by battles with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, with Clasico meetings becoming increasingly intense and controversial.

Madrid eventually ended Barcelona's domestic dominance by winning the 2011-12 La Liga title with a record 100 points.

The first Clasico of Mourinho's new reign is scheduled for late October, when Madrid travel to Barcelona.

Before then, the Portuguese coach has two months to establish his methods and get his star players working as a team.

His mission starts at Espanyol on Saturday.