Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday offered more than three points in La Liga, suggesting Jose Mourinho is reshaping the team’s tactics, dressing-room hierarchy and approach to major matches during his second spell at Santiago Bernabeu.
The Portuguese coach has made several significant changes, including deploying Federico Valverde at right-back, giving Arda Guler a more influential role and carefully managing Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid’s victory was their fifth in a row across the matches in which Valverde featured in that position.
Valverde, who prefers midfield, had already played 15 games at right-back for Real Madrid during the 2024-25 season under Carlo Ancelotti. Xabi Alonso also tried the idea early in the following season but failed to convince the Uruguay international, who said in September: “The manager knows I don’t like playing at right-back.”
Alvaro Arbeloa returned Valverde to midfield after replacing Alonso in January, while Mourinho initially took the same view. “Right-back? I don’t like it; for me, he is a midfielder,” he said in August.
However, injuries and the team’s needs led Mourinho to change his approach. Valverde played there in the second half against Villarreal, then against Roma in the Champions League, before starting at right-back against Sevilla, Leipzig and Barcelona.
The arrangement has provided defensive strength, greater width and attacking depth, while allowing Real Madrid to use a more creative midfield and include additional attacking players. It has also limited the opportunities of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined from Liverpool in summer 2025, and Denzel Dumfries, signed from Inter Milan in July for 20m euros. Sources close to Alexander-Arnold say he remains focused on succeeding at Real Madrid and is not considering leaving, particularly after returning to the England set-up under Thomas Tuchel during September’s international break.
Guler and Vinicius
Mourinho believes the 21-year-old Guler is best suited to the right side of a three-man attacking midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation. His movement and vision were central to Real Madrid’s performance against Barcelona: he tested the visitors early, crossed for Kylian Mbappe and helped create the winning goal by finding Eduardo Camavinga.
Guler finished the clasico with three shots, the most of any Real Madrid player, and shared the lead for chances created with two. The presence of Yan Diomande on the left and Valverde at right-back has given him greater freedom to move inside, with Bernardo Silva providing another creative option in midfield.
Mourinho has also handled Vinicius differently from Alonso, who often substituted the Brazilian early or left him out. Mourinho supported a contract renewal, which was completed until 2032 in early August, despite interest from clubs including Arsenal. Vinicius scored once and supplied three assists in his first 11 matches, but from September Mourinho began reducing his minutes when his performances dipped.
He was substituted early against Elche, Atletico Madrid and Roma, started on the bench against Villarreal and became the first substitute withdrawn against Leipzig. The decisions came as supporters continued to jeer him, but they have been accepted by the club, squad and fans. Diomande’s emergence on the left has increased competition, while Vinicius and his representatives acknowledge he has not reached his best level.
Mourinho said the manner of the Barcelona win was important: “You can win through luck or by relying heavily on defence, but we won calmly and fully deserved it.”
Mbappe’s 87th-minute goal settled the match after Raphinha equalised in the 60th minute. Real Madrid had remained organised and did not need a late comeback or individual rescue act.
The next test comes at Racing Santander on Sunday. Racing are 13th, and Real Madrid must show the same focus in a less demanding fixture. Mourinho, 63, has earned respect in the dressing room, with Mbappe and Jude Bellingham working for the collective cause and Camavinga producing an influential display after a difficult spell.
The Barcelona result suggests Mourinho has restored authority and clarity, but repeating that performance against lesser opposition will determine whether his second Real Madrid era has created a lasting identity.
