Carvalhal reckons Mourinho laid the perfect trap for Madrid at Da Luz
Former Celta boss breaks down how Mourinho outsmarted Real Madrid in their Champions League defeat, calling it a 'masterclass' in tactical planning.
Portuguese tactician Carlos Carvalhal has offered a fascinating breakdown of how Jose Mourinho outfoxed Real Madrid in their Champions League playoff first leg, suggesting the Special One executed a perfect tactical trap at the Estádio da Luz.
Mourinho’s Masterclass
The former Celta Vigo and Swansea manager didn’t mince his words when analysing Benfica’s 4-2 victory, praising his compatriot for delivering what he called a tactical “masterclass” against Los Blancos.
“Mourinho designed a trap and Madrid fell right into it,” Carvalhal explained, offering a proper deep dive into the tactical battle that unfolded in Lisbon.
According to Carvalhal, Mourinho’s gameplan revolved around several non-negotiable principles:
- Keeping his lines compact without necessarily sitting deep
- Exploiting Madrid’s reluctance to track back by being direct and aggressive with the ball
- Implementing a high press that forced Courtois and defenders into long balls and subsequent turnovers
- Creating a “spider’s web” in midfield that slowed Madrid’s attacking process
- Denying Madrid’s stars any one-on-one situations
The Right Flank Gambit
Particularly interesting was Carvalhal’s breakdown of how Benfica targeted Madrid’s left side, with Prestianni pulling Carreras infield while Dedic exploited the space behind Bellingham.
“If Benfica wants to risk getting something positive, Dedic should be important again,” he noted, suggesting this could be a key battleground in the return leg.
Madrid’s Required Response
For Madrid to avoid another nightmare at the Bernabeu, Carvalhal believes they must:
- Shore up their left flank
- Find better defensive balance
- Improve concentration at set-pieces
- Show more patience in possession
The challenge, he suggests, is that Madrid’s DNA demands they play on the front foot and take positional risks – exactly what Benfica exploited in the first leg.
Carvalhal’s Future
The 58-year-old Portuguese gaffer also revealed he’s taking a strategic sabbatical after leaving Braga, despite weekly offers from around the globe. While he’s keeping his options open, he made it crystal clear where his heart lies.
“Spain is my absolute priority. I say that from the heart,” Carvalhal admitted, praising La Liga’s technical quality which he reckons even tops the Premier League. Sounds like someone’s angling for a blower from a Spanish chairman!
With Madrid now facing an uphill battle to overturn their first-leg deficit, it’ll be fascinating to see if Ancelotti can find the answers to Mourinho’s tactical puzzle in the return fixture.