According to a report by Barca Universal on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Real Madrid appear to have found a more effective midfield structure under Jose Mourinho, with recent victories suggesting the Portuguese manager is addressing the team's weaknesses ahead of Sunday's crucial El Clasico against Barcelona.

According to AS, victories over Sevilla and RB Leipzig have strengthened Mourinho's belief that Arda Guler or Bernardo Silva can improve Madrid's creativity, possession and overall control in midfield.

The manager also believes Federico Valverde could be more effective at right-back, where his energy would strengthen the defence while allowing him to support attacking moves and link up with teammates in advanced positions.

Following the Champions League victory over Leipzig, Mourinho emphasised the importance of introducing technically gifted midfielders who can improve build-up play and help the team transition quickly between defence and attack.

"When the team has a player like Bernardo Silva or Arda in midfield, it has better build-up play, more control and faster transitions," Mourinho explained after the match.

Madrid's statistics reflect the improvement, with the team recording 65.1 per cent possession against Sevilla and 64.4 per cent against Leipzig, their highest figures across the opening 12 matches of the season.

Previously, Los Blancos averaged just 49.5 per cent possession. Against Leipzig, they completed 679 of their 742 attempted passes, highlighting their improved ability to retain the ball and dictate the tempo of matches.

Valverde and Guler also exchanged 42 passes during the encounter, suggesting their partnership on the right could become another important element of Mourinho's evolving tactical approach ahead of Sunday's showdown.

The experiment represents more than two impressive victories, as Madrid have previously struggled to combine their physical strength and attacking quality with consistent possession and control throughout matches.

Adding another creative midfielder could help address that weakness while preserving the team's ability to launch quick attacks. However, Mourinho must determine which combination would provide the best balance against Barcelona.

Guler and Bernardo offer technical quality and composure under pressure, while Valverde's versatility provides defensive protection and additional support from the right flank.

Barcelona, under manager Hansi Flick, will provide a stern test of Madrid's new approach. With Los Blancos trailing their rivals by six points, control of the midfield could prove decisive in Sunday's encounter.

Although Mourinho's final selection remains uncertain, his recent tactical adjustments have given Madrid renewed optimism as they prepare for an important opportunity to reduce the gap and strengthen their title challenge.