Real Madrid Manager Jose Mourinho to Keenly Study Barcelona vs PSG Ahead of El Clasico

According to a report by Barca Universal on Tuesday October 20, 2026, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is expected to closely analyse Barcelona’s Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain as he prepares his team for the upcoming El Clasico.

According to reports, the Portuguese coach wants to assess how Hansi Flick handles Barcelona’s defensive problems ahead of their meeting at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Mourinho is particularly interested in the defensive adjustments Flick could make because of the injuries affecting his squad. Barcelona’s European encounter against PSG could provide valuable insights into the tactical decisions the German coach might consider against Real Madrid.

However, Mourinho will not immediately focus entirely on Barcelona. Real Madrid must first fulfil their own European commitments before the manager and his coaching staff begin studying their rivals’ performance in detail.

Barcelona’s defensive absences could influence Mourinho’s approach to El Clasico. Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia are both important options on the right side of the defence, and their availability remains a significant concern for Flick.

The absence of both players has left Barcelona facing difficult decisions over how to organise their backline for two challenging fixtures. Mourinho already understands Barcelona’s attacking strengths and general playing patterns, but their performance against PSG could reveal how effectively they cope without key defenders.

The Portuguese manager will pay particular attention to Flick’s tactical adjustments and the alternatives he chooses. Barcelona, meanwhile, will want to demonstrate that their defensive structure remains reliable despite the personnel changes.

Kounde’s potential return could provide Barcelona with a significant boost before El Clasico. His availability would give Flick greater flexibility and could allow him to restore a familiar defensive partnership instead of relying on an emergency replacement.

The lineup against PSG might not necessarily reflect Barcelona’s plans for Sunday. If Kounde remains unavailable, however, Flick’s decisions in Paris could indicate which alternatives he trusts most.

Barcelona must also avoid taking unnecessary risks with injured players. With two demanding matches arriving in quick succession, Flick will need to balance his Champions League ambitions with the importance of securing a strong performance against Real Madrid.

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