Barcelona fans have long teased Jose Mourinho, with their insult of choice being traductor - Spanish for translator. It is their way of mocking the Real Madrid manager's humble beginnings. Learning his future trade while serving as an interpreter for the legendary Sir Bobby Robson, Mourinho followed Robson from Sporting to Porto, before the pair reached Barcelona in 1996.
Four years later Mourinho was the manager of Benfica, the first steps in a coaching career that would lead him to Champions League glory, twice, and success in England, Italy and Spain. So much more than merely a translator, even while at Barcelona, the Portuguese boss' wide and varied success best illustrates the true qualities that underpin him - diligent, determined, introspective, able to thrive in chaos, and tactically brilliant. Last weekend, that eager tactical mind was in full force as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1.
As the footballing world praised the tactics Mourinho used, it was an apt moment to reflect on his 26 years in management. This Clasico featured Real Madrid playing in a 4-4-2 shape with winger Vinicius Jr suspended. Federico Valverde played at right-back.
Bernardo Silva came into the side partnering Aurelien Tchouameni in midfield. Arda Guler and Yan Diomande manned the flanks and Jude Bellingham played up top alongside Kylian Mbappe. Like he has often done in big games, Mourinho asked one of his more industrious players, Silva on this occasion, to man-mark Barcelona's Pedri.
Not an easy task, but it was one that minimised the Spaniard's influence. Noting Barcelona's intense press and the fact that they converged towards the ball, Real's players drew opponents on to them in wide areas before exploiting space that opened up on the far side – either through impressive dribbling or long switches. This was particularly noticeable when the ball was played from the right side of the pitch to the left flank as Marc Cucurella snuck behind Lamine Yamal.
Not one to normally dwell on the tactical details of his game publicly, he decided to explain how it was the deep runs from his midfielders that Barcelona found hardest to track. A master in using news conference as a continuation of what happens on the pitch, perhaps Mourinho revealed his methods in the hope that future opponents of Barcelona would take note. By running into space behind Barcelona's high line, Real undid Hansi Flick's famed front-footed approach.
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