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According to a report by GOAL on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has explained why he will not introduce a special tactical plan to contain Barcelona star Lamine Yamal ahead of Sunday's crucial El Clásico clash at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Saturday, in comments widely shared by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X, the Portuguese tactician acknowledged Yamal's quality but insisted that changing Real Madrid's overall tactical structure to deal with one player was not an option.
“There’s no specific plan anti-Lamine,” Mourinho told reporters, noting that Barcelona have several exceptional players whose collective quality matches that of his own squad.
He stressed that abandoning an established team structure to focus on an individual opponent does not fit his football philosophy.
Mourinho's comments contrast with the approach adopted by Paris Saint-Germain during their recent 4-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona, when the French side placed considerable attention on limiting Yamal's influence through close marking.
Instead, Real Madrid are expected to remain committed to their own tactical principles rather than making significant changes specifically to contain the young winger.
Sunday's encounter carries major significance for the La Liga title race, with Real Madrid currently trailing league leaders Barcelona by six points. The Spanish giants must also navigate the difficult away fixture without suspended forward Vinicius Junior.
With the stage set for Sunday's meeting at Camp Nou, football fans in Nigeria and around the world will be watching closely to see how Mourinho's tactical decision unfolds against Barcelona.
The highly anticipated clash is expected to deliver drama, tactical battles and intense rivalry, with the outcome potentially having a significant impact on the ongoing La Liga campaign.