Real Madrid recorded back-to-back victories against Sevilla and RB Leipzig, filling points in La Liga and the Champions League while injecting crucial confidence ahead of the Clásico against Barcelona. As reported by AS, manager José Mourinho introduced disruptive tactical shifts—deploying Valverde at right-back and incorporating Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva into the team’s play—to spark an immediate evolution in the team’s style of play.
Tactical Shifts in Midfield and Defense
Mourinho previously expressed reluctance to use Valverde in a wide defensive role, acknowledging the decision left specialists like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries on the bench. Yet, the tactical gamble paid off by establishing a functional balance between physical strength and technical flair in the center of the pitch. Following the victory against RB Leipzig, Mourinho highlighted the effectiveness of his right flank in his post-match comments.
MOURINHO AFTER BENFICA 0-1 REAL MADRID, FEB 17, 2026:“The referee had a note saying Tchouameni, Carreras and Huijsen couldn’t get a yellow because they’d miss the second leg. I coached Real Madrid, so I know how things work over there.” 😭 pic.twitter.com/QHEzu1NIEs
“Nuestro equipo por banda derecha ha sido muy asociativo con Arda, Bernardo y Fede. Tuvimos mucha creación por ese lado y Fede hizo un partidazo,” Mourinho said in his post-match press conference.
The adjustment marked only the second time Valverde featured at right-back—a position he previously shunned a year ago—while Bernardo Silva made his first start in a month. Güler added a creative spark reminiscent of his performance against Sevilla, convincing the coaching staff that an extra playmaker in central areas provides greater command over matches. Mourinho noted that adding players like Silva or Güler grants the side improved outlet options, better tempo control, and sharper transition speeds.
Possession Metrics and Passing Records Reach Season Highs
The tactical alterations coincided with a sharp rise in possession and passing volume, breaking away from the team’s earlier seasonal averages. Opta data shows that Real Madrid registered 65.1 percent possession against Sevilla and 64.4 percent against RB Leipzig, setting the club’s highest figures across their first 12 matches of the campaign. Prior to these fixtures, the squad averaged 49.5 percent possession and had exceeded the 60 percent threshold only once, against Espanyol at 62.6 percent.
Passing precision and involvement also scaled new heights during the European fixture against RB Leipzig. The team attempted 742 passes and completed 679, establishing seasonal benchmarks, while maintaining dominance in opponent territory with 352 successful passes out of 401 attempts. For the first time this season, eight different players surpassed 50 completed passes in a single match. The right side operated at a relentless pace, as Valverde completed 51 passes in the opposition half, Güler managed 43, and Bernardo Silva and Dean Huijsen contributed 39 each. Valverde and Güler proved to be the match’s most frequent passing pairing, exchanging 24 balls from the Uruguayan to the Turkish playmaker and 18 in return.
Upcoming Clásico Preparations
The consecutive victories carry significant momentum as Real Madrid approaches the first major watershed moment of the season against Barcelona. With the team crossing the threshold of its first 100 days under Mourinho, the tactical foundation built around heightened possession and associative play provides a clearer identity heading into the fixture.
