Mourinho’s brilliance, statement win | Three takeaways from Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Mourinho’s brilliance, statement win | Three takeaways from Barcelona 1-2 Real MadridKylian Mbappe’s brace helped Real Madrid steal a historic win over Barcelona last night at the Spotify Camp Nou, and what makes it special was how the win arrived when Los Blancos were the ones under pressure to win.Despite being six points behind the leaders, the men in white showed that they have what it takes to take down even Europe’s elite and that class is permanent.Jose Mourinho’s tactical brilliance and Real Madrid’s perfect execution of the plan saw them take the lead early, but Barcelona managed to secure an equaliser after the break. Just when the momentum seemed to be swinging, Real Madrid managed to score a winner through Mbappe once again.Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid.Mourinho does what Mourinho does bestMourinho got the better of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in style. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)When Barcelona’s prime team under Pep Guardiola seemed unstoppable, Jose Mourinho found a way to neutralise them and give Real Madrid the edge in El Clasico. Before leaving the club, he kept a five-Clasico unbeaten streak as well.It is only poetic that his return has turned Real Madrid’s fortune around against Barcelona once again, as they not only won last night but looked the better side in the process.A big part of the credit for the win, in that sense, falls on Mourinho who has got his tactics spot-on in recent games. To neutralise Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, which the past three managers have been unable to do, is a massive achievement for him.Mourinho’s idea of bringing Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler along with Bernardo Silva worked like a charm and never allowed Barcelona’s midfield to settle into the game.The midfielders, in that sense, took responsibility for making runs behind the back, breaking lines and stabilising the defensive line, and Eduardo Camavinga’s introduction later in the game was instrumental in securing the win.Mourinho clearly identified Barcelona’s weakness and set up his side to exploit the same to perfection. Real Madrid defended deep and did not chase possession. What they did, however, was latch on to mistakes and capitalise efficiently – something Barcelona simply had no answers to.It was reminiscent of his style of managing Clasicos in the late 2012’s, and he showed that he is the best at what he does.A statement winKylian Mbappe scored a brace. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Real Madrid’s season was filled with narrow wins over relatively inferior opposition, and it was only over the past week that they secured some dominant performances and results.What was lacking all along, however, was a big win with a reason for the dressing room to get a psychological boost and take the team to the next level. That arrived last night.Barcelona’s form this season has been imperious, with opponents struggling to deal with their ruthless attack and control in midfield.For Real Madrid, who were supposedly the underdogs, to come in and deliver a win by not only scoring twice but also neutralising the attacking threat and chance creation, comes as a massive statement from them.There has been a sense that Real Madrid are lacking what it takes to win big titles this season, especially given their start to the campaign.In the end, however, it is not the start of the season but how a team finishes it that determines titles, and Real Madrid seems to be picking up momentum at the right point in time.With the win over Barcelona, not only do the players and management get a sense that they can beat anyone, but the general perception of Real Madrid will once again return to where it deserves to be. Respect must be earned, and Real Madrid now have the win that will command respect from football fans this season.Back in the title raceReal Madrid are now three points behind Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)Of all of the takeaways from Real Madrid’s win over Barcelona last night, the biggest is how it impacts the title race.Having already slipped to two defeats early in the season, Los Blancos found themselves six points behind Barcelona and the Clasico was crucial in that perspective.After all, a win for the Catalans would take them nine points clear of Real Madrid – a deficit that would be difficult to overcome.Now, however, that gap is cut short to just three points and Real Madrid are right back in the title race. The win last night, in that sense, was absolutely massive and non-negotiable.From here on, with momentum on their side and just a three-point gap with Barcelona, Real Madrid will have to keep their good run of form going consistently to ensure they can capitalise on their opponents’ first mistake and get back on level terms.The title race is now wide open, giving the men in white a purpose to fight every week knowing well that any win could be the one that makes them leaders.