{
  "id": 1778936,
  "title": "Real Madrid’s predicted centre-back duo to start the new season",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/real-madrids-predicted-centre-back-duo-to-start-the-new-season",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-18T19:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/real-madrid-predicted-centre-back-191500944.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid's anticipated center-back duo for the upcoming season has been disclosed by the coaching staff at La Liga's leading club. According to an insight published online, José Mourinho has already decided on his preferred pairing. The Spanish giants are set to commence their 2026/27 La Liga campaign this weekend, aiming to start the new year on a positive note against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium.\n\nThe selection process for the matchup includes various decisions, ranging from the right-back controversy to the battle for minutes in the center of the park. However, one crucial line-up call has already been made at Valdebebas. As reported by The Athletic, Dean Huijsen is set to start the season alongside their summer signing, Ibrahima Konate. Both players showcased promising performances in the first half against Schalke, marking their first center-back starts together. Thus, Antonio Rüdiger will likely have to sit on the bench for the first leg of the campaign.",
  "summary": "An insight into the plans of the coaching staff at La Liga giants Real Madrid for the heart of the club’s defence heading into the new campaign has been forthcoming online.This comes amid the unders...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Mourinho will count on Real Madrid youth player if club fail to sign a new centre-back",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/mourinho-will-count-on-real-madrid-youth-player-if-club-fail-to-sign",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}