According to a report by Madrid Universal on Friday, October 23, 2026, Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering a tactical plan designed to limit Barcelona’s influence in midfield ahead of the eagerly awaited El Clasico, with Real Madrid potentially making a few unexpected selections in their starting eleven.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick is said to have made the weekend fixture a major priority, rotating his squad during the midweek match against Paris Saint-Germain to preserve the fitness of important players before facing their biggest rivals.

Although Real Madrid are expected to approach the encounter with confidence, Mourinho recognises that his tactical decisions could determine the outcome against a Barcelona side celebrated for its technical excellence and ability to dominate possession.

MARCA reports that the Portuguese tactician has settled on a possible midfield combination that could challenge Barcelona’s dominance on the ball while ensuring Madrid remain defensively organised enough to restrict their opponents' attacking opportunities.

Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to provide the foundation in midfield, with his physical presence, intelligent positioning and ball-recovery skills viewed as crucial qualities for dealing with Barcelona’s technically accomplished players.

Federico Valverde, meanwhile, is reportedly set to remain at right-back, potentially opening the door for Eduardo Camavinga to partner Tchouameni in central midfield instead of the Uruguayan.

Camavinga’s possible return to a more prominent role could attract particular attention, given his struggle to secure consistent playing time this season. However, his encouraging performance against RB Leipzig appears to have boosted his prospects of starting or featuring prominently against Barcelona.

His pace, physical energy and ability to progress the ball could prove instrumental in helping Madrid escape Barcelona’s press and create dangerous opportunities through rapid transitions from defence to attack.

Further forward, Arda Guler is expected to occupy the right flank, offering creativity and attacking unpredictability in a potential formation that could also accommodate Jude Bellingham in an advanced midfield role.

With his close control, impressive vision and ability to identify gaps between defensive lines, Guler could become an important weapon for Madrid as they seek to break through Barcelona’s defensive structure.

Mourinho’s reported approach focuses on building a balanced midfield capable of combining physical power, technical quality and tactical organisation. With Tchouameni and Camavinga potentially operating centrally and Guler providing creativity from the right, Real Madrid will aim to unsettle Barcelona’s possession-based approach and gain the upper hand in crucial areas of the pitch during what is expected to be a fiercely competitive El Clasico.