According to a report by The Punch on Saturday, October 24, 2026, Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has explained why he will not introduce a special tactical strategy to stop Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal ahead of Sunday's crucial El Clásico encounter at Spotify Camp Nou.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Saturday, in comments widely circulated by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X, the Portuguese manager acknowledged Yamal's exceptional abilities but insisted that Real Madrid would not abandon their established tactical approach to focus on a single opponent.

“There’s no specific plan anti-Lamine,” Mourinho told reporters, explaining that Barcelona have several outstanding players whose collective quality makes them a formidable opponent, just like his own team.

The experienced tactician stressed that restructuring his team's entire approach to neutralise one individual would go against his footballing philosophy. Instead, he intends to rely on Real Madrid's established principles to compete against their fierce rivals.

Mourinho's position differs from the approach adopted by Paris Saint-Germain during their recent 4-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona, when the French side reportedly placed considerable emphasis on restricting Yamal's influence through close marking.

Rather than adopting a similar strategy, Real Madrid are expected to maintain their tactical identity and focus on dealing with Barcelona as a team instead of concentrating their defensive efforts on the teenage winger.

Sunday's encounter carries significant implications for the La Liga title race, with Real Madrid currently trailing league leaders Barcelona by six points. Mourinho's side will also have to cope without suspended Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, making the challenge of securing a positive result away from home even more difficult.

With both Spanish giants preparing for the highly anticipated showdown at Camp Nou, supporters in Nigeria and around the world will be eager to see how Mourinho's tactical decision influences the contest.

The fierce rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid is expected to produce an intense battle, with both managers seeking to outmanoeuvre their opponents in a match that could have a major impact on the direction of the La Liga title race this season.