According to a report by Madrid Universal on Monday, October 26, 2026, Jose Mourinho has received praise for his tactical decisions after Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico, reducing the gap between the two sides at the top of La Liga to three points.

The Portuguese manager’s tactical setup, Madrid’s disciplined performance and the implications of the result for the title race have emerged as major talking points following the encounter at Spotify Camp Nou.

Real Madrid entered the match trailing Barcelona by six points and under pressure to secure a positive result against Hansi Flick’s side. However, Kylian Mbappe’s goals proved decisive as the visitors claimed an important victory.

Mourinho’s tactical decisions played a significant role in the outcome, particularly his midfield arrangement, which helped Madrid disrupt Barcelona’s passing rhythm and restrict their ability to control the game.

The manager deployed midfielders with complementary qualities to break through Barcelona’s defensive lines, make forward runs and maintain defensive stability.

Eduardo Camavinga’s introduction also proved valuable, giving Madrid additional energy as they sought to regain control of the contest and exploit spaces during transitions.

Madrid’s defensive organisation and ability to capitalise on their opponents’ mistakes were equally important in overcoming Barcelona’s attacking threat.

Rather than attempting to dominate possession, Mourinho’s team remained compact, maintained its shape and waited for opportunities to launch effective attacks.

The victory also represents a confidence boost for Real Madrid following a period in which their performances had attracted questions about their consistency and ability to compete against Europe’s strongest teams.

Although the Spanish giants had managed to secure several narrow victories, concerns had persisted over their overall performance and competitiveness.

Winning El Clasico away from home provides Madrid with an opportunity to build momentum and strengthen their belief as the season progresses.

The result has also significantly affected the La Liga title race. Barcelona could have extended their advantage to nine points with a victory, but Madrid’s success has reduced the gap to just three points.

This leaves Mourinho’s side with renewed hopes of challenging for the championship, although maintaining consistent performances in their remaining fixtures will be crucial.

Real Madrid will now look to build on their El Clasico triumph and avoid further setbacks as they continue their pursuit of Barcelona at the top of the league.