Mourinho defends Arda Guler substitution in Real Madrid loss to Real Betis

Real Madrid fell 0-1 to Real Betis at La Cartuja on September 5. Following the match, manager Mourinho addressed the decision to remove Arda Guler in the 65th minute, despite the midfielder creating seven scoring chances and recording five ball recoveries. Mourinho cited concerns regarding a potential second yellow card as the primary motivation, noting that he feared opposing players would target Guler after he was booked in the first half. Yan Diomande replaced Guler, a move that drew scrutiny due to the Turk's influential performance in the LaLiga fixture. This substitution follows a pattern of early exits for Guler, who also saw reduced minutes against Espanyol earlier in the season. While Guler maintains a role in the starting lineup, his frequent withdrawal highlights a growing debate regarding team selection and the integration of summer signings.

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