Real Madrid’s impressive form in recent weeks continues to attract attention across Europe.
Under Jose Mourinho, the team began to play an identifiable style of football that is now paying off.
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As with all Mourinho teams, Whites they prove to be compact, disciplined in defense and devastating on the counter-attack.
Talking to Diario AS, German football legend Lothar Matthaus compared Mourinho’s “Real” with Diego Simeone’s “Atletico Madrid”.
Matthaus was impressed with Mourinho’s tactical approach
Matthaus highlighted the similarities in defensive organization, aggressiveness and ability to use the defense in transition.
Discussing Bayern’s Champions League clash with Atletico, Matthaus explained that the Spanish side’s style of play reminded him of Madrid under Mourinho.
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“Simeone’s Atlético have a different game system. They are more compact and aggressive. A bit like Mourinho’s Real Madrid.” he explained.
Jose Mourinho is doing a great job at Real Madrid. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
The former Ballon d’Or winner then hinted Classic As an example of Mourinho’s philosophy.
“Did you see them against Barcelona a week ago? They didn’t want to have the ball. A fighting team, strong defense, determination, great speed and verticality from their players.”
Matthaus was particularly impressed with Madrid’s attacking transitions, adding: “Textbook counter-attacks with Yann Diomande, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.”
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Interestingly, Matthaus chose to leave Vinicius Jr. off this list after his harsh comments about the Brazilian some time ago.
Jose Mourinho has never been great in possession
The comparison between the two Madrid clubs is interesting as both managers insist their teams are resolute in defence.
However, Whites they tend to be more attacking and tend to score a lot of goals. They use defensive foundations to push forward.
Jose Mourinho is not that great in possession. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has never been a manager who insists on possession or outplays his opponents.
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His famous quote from his Tottenham days still does the rounds. “They can take the ball home with them. I’ll take the 3 points” he said jokingly.
Against Barcelona, his team embraced periods without the ball and relied on their defensive organization to stop the Catalans.
However, it’s not like Mourinho doesn’t want control. One of the reasons he brought Bernardo Silva into the starting line-up was to give Madrid better possession.
The Portuguese manager is doing a great job building a project at Real Madrid and it remains to be seen how they will fare in the coming weeks.