Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly planning to study Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain as he prepares his team for Sunday’s El Clasico. According to Barca Universal on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Portuguese coach is particularly interested in examining how Hansi Flick organises his defence while dealing with injury concerns ahead of the meeting between Spain’s two biggest rivals.

Barcelona face uncertainty over the availability of Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia, both of whom have been used on the right side of the defence during the season. Any absence could force Flick to adjust his defensive setup at a crucial point in the campaign, with demanding European and domestic fixtures arriving close together.

Mourinho is expected to pay close attention to the choices Flick makes against PSG. The match will provide Real Madrid’s coaching staff with an opportunity to assess how Barcelona respond to the possible loss of key defenders when facing a strong attacking opponent. Their positioning, defensive coordination and ability to deal with pressure could offer useful insight before the Clasico.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager is already familiar with Barcelona’s attacking approach and the patterns they use to create scoring opportunities. However, he will also want to understand how Flick adapts when his preferred defensive options are unavailable. The decisions made against PSG could reveal whether Barcelona maintain their usual structure or adopt a more cautious approach to compensate for potential weaknesses.

Kounde’s fitness is likely to be an important factor in Mourinho’s assessment. If the French defender is available, Barcelona would have greater flexibility when selecting their backline. His absence, on the other hand, could require Flick to rely on alternative players and rearrange defensive responsibilities. Real Madrid may then look for ways to take advantage of any uncertainty caused by those changes.

Eric Garcia’s situation could also influence Barcelona’s selection. With both players having contributed on the right side of the defence, their availability may determine how Flick balances defensive stability with the team’s attacking ambitions. Mourinho and his staff will be watching for signs of how effectively Barcelona’s replacements can handle the demands of a major European match.

Despite the injury concerns, Barcelona will aim to show that their defensive organisation can remain reliable. A disciplined performance against PSG would provide Flick with reassurance that the players available to him can cope with high-quality opposition. It would also help the manager assess which combinations are best suited to the Clasico.

Managing fitness will be another priority for Barcelona, given the short turnaround between the two important fixtures. Flick must keep his team competitive in Europe while avoiding unnecessary physical strain that could affect their preparation for Real Madrid.

Mourinho and his coaching staff are reportedly expected to review Barcelona’s performance once Real Madrid have completed their own European commitments. Any observations could inform their tactical preparations for Sunday, although the effectiveness of that analysis will depend partly on which players Flick can call upon.

With both clubs preparing for a high-stakes encounter, Barcelona’s response to their defensive uncertainty could become an important part of the build-up. Real Madrid will seek to identify potential opportunities, while Flick will be determined to ensure that any adjustments do not undermine his side’s overall balance.