Predictions and calculations mean little in El Clásico. Barcelona was expected to make a statement, but Real Madrid delivered instead, with Mourinho as the architect of the victory. Its significance may seem limited today, but no one can say how important it could become.

In the end, taking out an attacker (Vinícius) and adding a more technical midfielder (Bernardo Silva) proved to be the right move. Barcelona contributed significantly to its own downfall, particularly in a chaotic first half, but Madrid also deserves considerable credit. Mourinho’s team adapted to every situation, made its superiority count and closed the gap on its greatest sporting rival. Both the performance and the numbers from the Clásico gave Madrid plenty to be pleased about.

Madrid began to look like itself again thanks to a logical decision, one that could even be described as bold given Mourinho’s past. Selecting Bernardo Silva in midfield gave Madrid balance and put to rest the idea that the Portuguese midfielder cannot play that role in the biggest games. Your best players are always better on the field than on the bench.

Possession didn't suddenly switch sides, but when Madrid had the ball, they showed noticeably more creativity. Mourinho devised an effective way of beating Barcelona’s press. He asked his players to draw the opposition in, be brave on the ball, and quickly switch play to the weak side.

Those switches proved highly effective against Flick’s narrow defensive shape and let Madrid attack Barcelona’s high defensive line head-on. Diomande, Bellingham, Mbappé and even Güler made intelligent runs into the space behind.

Madrid’s impressive first half also owed plenty to Barcelona’s shortcomings. For a team containing Rodri, Pedri and Fermín to play at breakneck speed and largely bypass its own midfield was an unforgivable oddity. Fermín spent too much time positioning himself behind Madrid’s midfielders rather than showing for the ball alongside them.

Poor decision-making dominated an unrecognisable Barça performance. The team was far too vertical and lacked control against Madrid’s mid-to-low block. That frantic approach prevented Barcelona from organising itself properly for the press and competing for second balls. When Barça lost possession, it wasn't in position to win it back quickly. It became a vicious cycle that proved difficult to escape.

Barcelona never found itself or brought the game under control. Only after Raphinha’s equaliser, following a minor Madrid lapse on a corner, did Barça start to play more like its usual self, though its self-destructive tendencies never entirely disappeared.

Madrid, by contrast, remained composed throughout. An imperious Bellingham drove the transitions, while Konaté, Huijsen and Cucurella superbly protected their own penalty area. Rodri and Pedri had some difficult moments, but Madrid were never completely overwhelmed and kept the attacking threat against Barcelona’s vulnerable defence.

If Mourinho’s initial game plan made the difference, his bench intervention was equally important. Flick improved Barcelona by introducing De Jong, and Mourinho responded by bringing on Camavinga.

It was exactly the kind of game state in which the Frenchman has traditionally excelled: an increasingly open contest against tiring opponents. His contribution to the winning goal showed why Camavinga can be so effective when space opens up late in games. His impact received the reward it deserved.

Madrid enjoys a long spell of possession against a Barcelona side with too much space between the lines. Rodri and Pedri drop deep, Fermín steps out to press Tchouaméni, and Bernardo Silva gets time to switch play to Cucurella in the buildup to Madrid’s opening goal.