Pedrol hails Mourinho’s tactical plan in Real Madrid’s 2-1 El Clasico win

Jose Mourinho was praised by Spanish television presenter Josep Pedrol after Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, with the manager’s tactical decisions credited with disrupting Hansi Flick’s plans in El Clasico.

Pedrol, host of the Spanish programme El Chiringuito, said Mourinho had answered those who believed his methods belonged to the past and that appointing him had been a mistake.

There had also been an expectation that Mourinho would be unsettled by the prospect of facing Barcelona. Instead, according to Pedrol, the Portuguese manager produced a commanding display in one of football’s biggest fixtures and offered a lesson in how to manage a major match.

Mourinho’s most significant decision came in midfield. He selected Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni, with Jude Bellingham also involved, rather than relying solely on physical strength.

That combination gave Real Madrid greater ability to compete with Barcelona in possession and when building attacks. Pedrol also noted that Pedri and Rodri failed to perform at the level expected of them.

The analysis suggested Mourinho had recognised during recent matches that his side needed a better balance between physical solidity and technical quality. That adjustment was evident at Camp Nou, where it helped Real Madrid overcome Barcelona.

Pedrol believes the approach could become an important option for Mourinho in future fixtures after proving effective against Barcelona. The result was not attributed only to the manager’s tactical superiority, however.

Real Madrid’s discipline and collective effort were also considered central to the victory. The players remained committed in both defensive and attacking phases, while maintaining a high level of effort throughout the match.

Pedrol said the team had produced the performance supporters had been waiting to see. He added that matches against elite opponents demand courage, organisation and a competitive spirit, all of which were clearly visible during the Clasico.

The fixture information associated with the report lists Barcelona in La Liga on 31 October 2026. Deportivo Alaves and Racing Santander are also named in the same schedule details.

Real Madrid is listed in La Liga on 01 November 2026.