The Madrid press is not patient. Wednesday evening, following Real Madrid’s victory against RB Leipzig (4-1), the local media asked José Mourinho if he intended to line up Federico Valverde again as a full-back during the Clásico… before being kindly rejected by the Special One. “No…I’m not talking about Sunday. If you ask me the same question on Saturday, I will answer you. I am very honest. » One day later, A.S. And Marca did not wait for Saturday’s press conference to detail the Portuguese coach’s plans. Revelations to be taken with a grain of salt since the two Madrid dailies have different versions.
For MarcaEduardo Camavinga could be one of Mourinho’s surprises. Reappearing since he relaunched in the French team under the orders of Zinédine Zidane, the former Rennais could be established in the midfield. “The Frenchman has the qualities that the technical staff considers decisive in trying to contain Barça’s attack. His physical power, his ability to lead the ball and his ease in crossing the lines make him an interesting asset for a Real Madrid who could find in transitions one of their main ways of causing pain at the Camp Nou.writes the newspaper. For his part, A.S. instead talks about Mourinho’s “three plans” for the big meeting against FC Barcelona, with several confirmed starters: Thibaut Courtois, Ibrahima Konaté, Marc Cucurella, Aurélien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomandé and Kylian Mbappé. No Camavinga on the program.
Valverde, the key man
Three options which depend on the positioning of Federico Valverde. In plan A, the Uruguayan would be kept as right back. Installed in this position during his last two matches. “Valverde has an ideal verticality for his position, which allows him to go very low on the pitch and, moreover, to combine well with the midfielder, thus creating situations of numerical superiority”writes the daily. In this plan, Mourinho would line up the following eleven in 4-2-3-1: Courtois – Valverde, Konaté, Rüdiger or Huijsen, Cucurella – Tchouameni, Güler – Endrick or Bernardo Silva, Bellingham, Diomandé – Mbappé.
Let’s move on to plan B with Valverde returning to his natural position of defensive midfielder, alongside Tchouameni. A.S. indicates that Mourinho would keep his tactical scheme in 4-2-3-1 and that the only changes would consist of putting back a professional right-back (Dumfries or Alexander-Arnold) and repositioning Güler on the right flank (in place of Endrick or Silva). Finally, there would be a plan C with Valverde playing as a right winger. Once again, the tactical plan would remain the same, Güler would find a central place in the middle, but Mourinho would have a right flank doubly secured defensively with the Uruguayan + Dumfries or Alexander-Arnold. Which system will the Portuguese choose? Answer on Sunday, but one thing is certain: Madrid must not be missed. Relegated six points behind Barça in the standings, Casa Blanca must win if they want to continue to believe in their title chances.
