Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has revealed the tactical directive he gave to Eduardo Camavinga after the midfielder stepped off the bench to inspire a thrilling 2–1 victory over FC Barcelona in El Clásico on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Los Blancos claimed a crucial away win at Camp Nou, cutting the gap to league leaders Barcelona down to just three points. Real Madrid entered the blockbuster clash trailing the league leaders and Catalan rivals, knowing that a defeat would leave them languishing eight points off the pace.

The high-stakes fixture lived up to its billing as a tactical chess match. Real Madrid structured themselves to exploit fast counter-attacking transitions against a Barcelona side that had entered the weekend unbeaten at the top of the table.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for the visitors in the 41st minute before Raphinha equalised for the hosts shortly after the hour mark. With the match poised at 1–1 and heading toward a stalemate, substitute Eduardo Camavinga proved to be the difference-maker. Introduced late in the second half, the French international attacked open space in transition, driving past Barcelona’s defence before laying off a precise pass for Mbappé to sweep home the 87th-minute match-winner.

Speaking after the match, a delighted Mourinho disclosed the clear instructions he gave the midfielder before sending him onto the pitch. The Portuguese manager instructed Camavinga to relentlessly exploit the vacant space behind Barcelona’s defensive line whenever the hosts attempted to press high up the pitch.

Attack the space

“I told him to go and attack the space. It is difficult for any attackers to attack space against Barcelona; the only solution is to do it with your midfielders,” he said after the game.

“When your attackers do it, Barca’s defence is prepared and coached for that, and your attackers end up being offside, or the pass ends up being cut by Joan Garcia. The solution is to use midfielders like Camavinga and Bellingham to break that line, and it worked.”

The tactical adjustment proved to be the defining stroke behind Real Madrid’s victory. Addressing his squad depth and squad selection dilemmas, Mourinho explained how managing a roster stacked with world-class talent requires tough choices on matchdays.

“Eduardo Camavinga is a starter for me. The problem is that I have a lot of starters, so some starters end up on the bench,” Mourinho said. “I look at the bench, and I see starters. Camavinga was extraordinary against RB Leipzig, and today he was unbelievable again when called upon.”

“Everyone trains to play, and then the coach has to make decisions. When you have a group as strong and united as this, everyone is ready to contribute, whether from the start or off the bench,” he added.