Real Madrid’s Roma comeback gave Jose Mourinho his most ideal attack for El Clasico

Share on XShare on RedditCopy ArticleAdd us as a preferred sourceReal Madrid v Villarreal CF – LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 | Mateo Villalba/GettyImagesReal Madrid were able to overcome the Roma challenge in a chaotic 4-3 win in Italy on Wednesday, and a lot of it had to do with the team's individual brilliance than an actual good performance.

Real Madrid were able to overcome the Roma challenge in a chaotic 4-3 win in Italy on Wednesday, and a lot of it had to do with the team's individual brilliance than an actual good performance.

If we judge strictly from the performance, Real Madrid were quite bad, and they probably would not have deserved the win. However, in the Champions League, things always seem to work a bit differently for this team, and that is exactly why Real Madrid were victorious.

If we judge strictly from the performance, Real Madrid were quite bad, and they probably would not have deserved the win. However, in the Champions League, things always seem to work a bit differently for this team, and that is exactly why Real Madrid were victorious.

Jose Mourinho made quite a few changes in the second half of the match, which is why the win came his way. His substitutes were performing brilliantly, and they may have also given him a lineup to work with in future games.

Jose Mourinho made quite a few changes in the second half of the match, which is why the win came his way. His substitutes were performing brilliantly, and they may have also given him a lineup to work with in future games.

Mourinho subbed Vinicius Junior off early in the second half, before bringing on Endrick to play on the right wing, and Yan Diomande was put on the left.

Mourinho subbed Vinicius Junior off early in the second half, before bringing on Endrick to play on the right wing, and Yan Diomande was put on the left.

Kylian Mbappe – who also had a poor showing despite the goal – was playing as a striker, and everything looked great. Diomande and Endrick were consistently dribbling past all of their opponents to create danger inside the box, while Mbappe was there trying to make his runs.

Kylian Mbappe – who also had a poor showing despite the goal – was playing as a striker, and everything looked great. Diomande and Endrick were consistently dribbling past all of their opponents to create danger inside the box, while Mbappe was there trying to make his runs.

It was a very direct brand of football, one that Real Madrid have not played in quite some time. A lot of their attack goes through Vinicius Junior – whatever he says goes, and if it does not work, the team has to go back and recycle possession.

It was a very direct brand of football, one that Real Madrid have not played in quite some time. A lot of their attack goes through Vinicius Junior – whatever he says goes, and if it does not work, the team has to go back and recycle possession.

However, with Endrick and Diomande on the wings, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Real Madrid's attack looked more complete than it has in a while, and even after one substitution, they still looked quite good.

However, with Endrick and Diomande on the wings, it felt like a breath of fresh air. Real Madrid's attack looked more complete than it has in a while, and even after one substitution, they still looked quite good.

Mourinho, soon after seeing a bit of this attack, decided to bring on Carlos Espi for Diomande, and put him up top, while Mbappe shifted to the left side. That was a brilliant move, and it caused Real Madrid to score the three goals at the end. Real Madrid looked much more fluid, and it just seems like this is an attack they have to use more often.

Mourinho, soon after seeing a bit of this attack, decided to bring on Carlos Espi for Diomande, and put him up top, while Mbappe shifted to the left side. That was a brilliant move, and it caused Real Madrid to score the three goals at the end. Real Madrid looked much more fluid, and it just seems like this is an attack they have to use more often.

They can just go for an attack of Diomande, Endrick and Mbappe – which in itself is very interchangeable, as all of these three players can play two different positions – and then bring on Espi if they need some physicality up top.

They can just go for an attack of Diomande, Endrick and Mbappe – which in itself is very interchangeable, as all of these three players can play two different positions – and then bring on Espi if they need some physicality up top.

Obviously, that won't happen as Vinicius Junior is still going to play a lot, but it is a brilliant option to try out in these next few games without the Brazilian.

Obviously, that won't happen as Vinicius Junior is still going to play a lot, but it is a brilliant option to try out in these next few games without the Brazilian.

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