José Mourinho’s decision to use fresh midfielders to exploit space behind Barcelona’s defence helped Real Madrid secure a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou on Sunday, ending the hosts’ winning start to the La Liga season.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice, including an 87th-minute winner, as Madrid claimed their first El Clásico victory of the campaign and cut Barcelona’s lead at the top of the table to three points.
Mourinho said his team had remained organised and composed even after Barcelona equalised, praising the players for executing their game plan against a side that had won its first nine league matches.
“It was the most difficult match, against the highest-quality opponent,” he told reporters after the game. “For us, this is the best-earned win.”
The Portuguese coach’s substitutions proved decisive late in the match. Eduardo Camavinga, introduced in the 80th minute, helped launch the move that produced the winning goal.
Mourinho explained that midfielders could exploit gaps more effectively than forwards against Barcelona’s high defensive line, which is trained to catch attackers offside or allow the goalkeeper to intercept passes.
“With Camavinga, as he did for the goal, and Bellingham, as he did in that two-on-one situation, it’s much harder for the opponent,” he said.
Madrid had taken the lead in the 41st minute when Mbappé scored after Yan Diomande’s cross deflected off Barcelona defender Gerard Martín. Barcelona responded in the 61st minute, with Raphinha finishing after a pass from Pedri.
The hosts pressed for a winner, but Madrid remained dangerous on the counterattack. After a turnover involving Barcelona substitute Gabriel Jesus, Camavinga broke forward and squared the ball for Mbappé to score.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin also made important saves, including a stop to deny Gerard Martín’s header in the second half.
Mourinho praised Lunin’s performance, joking that reporters would have questioned him about the goalkeeper had Madrid lost because of his mistakes.
He also singled out midfielder Federico Valverde, who played for more than 40 minutes despite an injury.
“He got injured, wanted to continue, pushed himself to his limits, and gave everything while he was on the field,” Mourinho said.
The coach criticised the video assistant referee over a challenge by Barcelona defender João Cancelo on Diomande around the 60th minute, arguing that the incident warranted a red card.
Despite the victory, Mourinho warned his players against becoming complacent, stressing that Madrid’s ambition extended beyond winning at Barcelona’s home ground.
“Real Madrid doesn’t play to win at Camp Nou. Real Madrid plays to win championships,” he said.
Barcelona remain top of La Liga with 27 points from 10 matches, one point ahead of Atlético Madrid. Real Madrid are third with 24 points.
The defeat ended Barcelona’s nine-match winning start in the league and came days after a 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick cited fatigue following a demanding run of matches and travel but said he would not use it as an excuse.
