According to a report by Madrid Universal on Monday, October 26, 2026, Jose Mourinho has received praise for his tactical decisions after Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico, reducing the gap at the top of La Liga to three points.

Mourinho’s tactical approach, Real Madrid’s impressive performance and the impact of the victory on the title race were among the main talking points following the match at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Real Madrid entered the encounter under pressure after falling six points behind Barcelona. However, Kylian Mbappe’s goals helped the Spanish giants secure a crucial victory over Hansi Flick’s side.

Mourinho’s tactical decisions played a key role in the result, with his midfield setup disrupting Barcelona’s rhythm and limiting their ability to control possession.

The Portuguese manager deployed midfielders with different qualities to break through Barcelona’s defensive lines, make forward runs and provide additional defensive cover.

Eduardo Camavinga’s introduction also proved important as Real Madrid looked to regain control of the game and exploit spaces during transitions.

Madrid’s disciplined defensive organisation and ability to punish mistakes were particularly effective against Barcelona’s attacking threat. Rather than focusing on dominating possession, Mourinho’s players remained organised and capitalised on opportunities when they emerged.

The victory also provides a significant psychological boost for a Real Madrid side that had struggled to deliver convincing performances earlier in the campaign. Despite securing several narrow wins, the team had faced questions about its ability to compete against Europe’s strongest sides.

Defeating Barcelona on their home ground offers an important response to those concerns and could strengthen the squad’s confidence for the remainder of the season.

The result has also reopened the La Liga title race. Barcelona would have moved nine points clear with a victory, but Real Madrid’s success has reduced the gap to just three points.

The outcome gives Mourinho’s side renewed hope of challenging for the championship, although maintaining consistency will be crucial if they are to overtake their rivals.

Real Madrid must now build on the momentum from their El Clasico victory and avoid further setbacks as the season progresses.