Four Key Revelations About Real Madrid That Will Define Their Season Before the November Break

If José Mourinho were grading the season in segments, he'd likely award himself and his Real Madrid squad an A+ for the stretch between the two autumn international breaks.

Los Blancos have bounced back impressively from a shaky start to the campaign, stringing together an eight-game winning streak across all competitions since the Madrid derby. It's the kind of form only surpassed across Europe's top leagues by Paris Saint-Germain and only equaled by ... ahem, Bournemouth.

When Madrid regroup following the next round of UEFA Nations League fixtures and thoroughly indispensable friendlies, the upcoming stretch of the season will prove pivotal. Mourinho's side cannot afford to ease up heading into the holiday period as they look to demonstrate this run is more than a temporary surge.

With Real Madrid on the rise, here are the key lessons from the past six weeks.

Real Madrid Are Title Contenders

It's a straightforward observation, given they sit just three points off the summit and are literally Real Madrid, but a significant one all the same.

Spirits were low following the Madrid derby, while a seemingly unstoppable Barça had built up a commanding advantage. Going into the Clásico, there was a genuine possibility that Madrid could have found themselves nine points adrift before Halloween—an embarrassingly poor showing on Mourinho's celebrated return.

Instead, following their victory at Camp Nou, Madrid have manufactured a genuine title race while demonstrating that Barcelona are, in fact, beatable.

There was even a moment on Saturday when Los Blancos briefly climbed to the top of La Liga—though only for a single night, as Barça claimed victory at Atleti the following day.

Much debate had surrounded whether Mourinho still possessed the ability to manage a powerhouse like Madrid. Recent results appear to have re-energized the 63-year-old, who draws his motivation from getting under the skin of his opponents.

Federico Valverde Is the Best Right Back

"I wasn't born to play as a full-back," Federico Valverde famously told journalists ahead of a Champions League away fixture against Kairat last year.

A year removed from that statement and its subsequent controversy, the Uruguayan was redeployed in his least preferred position during the 4–1 victory over Sevilla. Mourinho hasn't looked back since.

Valverde has featured in four of the last six matches in a defensive role, standing out with his energy, composure, and threat going forward. His superb strike against Valencia on Saturday was his second goal in consecutive appearances.

With Mourinho clearly unconvinced by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries—two specialist defenders with a notable reluctance to actually defend—Valverde's positional switch may well become a permanent arrangement.

Bernardo Silva Is Needed in Midfield

Speaking in the aftermath of the Clásico, Mourinho acknowledged he would be seeking midfield combinations with contrasting profiles rather than relying on a double pivot made up of two similarly minded players. While he stopped short of naming Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde directly, the suggestion was clear that the frequently used but only sporadically effective midfield pairing is unlikely to feature heavily going forward.

Summer signing Bernardo Silva caught the eye at Camp Nou with his range of passing and composure in and out of possession. The 32-year-old has started both La Liga matches since, with Madrid's midfield looking considerably more balanced and controlled as a result—though admittedly against modest opposition in Racing and Valencia.

While Silva appears to be the frontrunner for the more creative role in Mourinho's double pivot, the tactical adjustment also opens the door for both Eduardo Camavinga and Arda Güler, who could each be utilized in the deeper-lying position.

The Attack Is Better Without Vinícius Jr

There's no avoiding it. Vinícius Jr has been in dreadful form and can no longer claim an automatic place in the starting lineup, regardless of his standing in the dressing room and his lucrative contract extension.

Yan Diomande has seized his opportunity during the Brazilian's dip in form, racking up seven goal contributions (four goals, three assists) across the last eight matches. Güler, meanwhile, continues to dazzle on the right flank—no player has registered more key passes in La Liga this season (42).

When Real Madrid return from the international break, Vinícius Jr will be eligible to play again, having now completed all four matches of his La Liga suspension. How exactly he reclaims his place in the side, however, remains an open question.