Mourinho Keeps Clásico Prediction Under Wraps as Valverde Shines at Right-Back
José Mourinho has refused to offer a prediction about Real Madrid’s lineup for next Sunday’s Clásico, leaving fans guessing over whether Fede Valverde will again be asked to fill in at right-back against Barcelona. The Uruguayan has started in the position for Madrid’s last two matches, even with specialist options available, but Mourinho is not ready to reveal his plans for the La Liga showdown at Camp Nou.
Real Madrid head into the fixture after a convincing 4-1 victory over Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. Valverde earned praise for his performance, yet questions about his role against Barcelona brought a characteristically guarded response from Mourinho. Rather than confirm whether the midfielder would continue on the right side of defence, the Portuguese coach kept his focus on the present.
“I won’t talk about what will happen on Sunday, and I won’t answer whether he’ll play in this position again on Saturday,” Mourinho said. He did, however, make clear that he was pleased with Valverde’s contribution: “I will say that Fede put in a good performance.”
Valverde’s versatility creates a selection dilemma
Valverde’s recent deployment at right-back has highlighted both his tactical flexibility and the difficult choices facing the coaching staff. Known primarily for his energy and influence in midfield, he can offer Madrid pace, stamina and the ability to carry the ball forward from a deeper position. Those qualities can be valuable in a high-pressure match, particularly when a team needs to cope with Barcelona’s movement and attacking width.
But using Valverde in defence also means shifting a key midfielder away from his natural role. Mourinho acknowledged that the decision comes with a cost, especially when recognised right-backs are available. “Playing Fede as a right-back is something that pains me, because it means leaving out two players who naturally occupy this position,” he said, in comments reported by Marca.
That remark offers a glimpse into the dilemma without resolving it. A coach might choose Valverde for his form, physical qualities or ability to adapt to a specific opponent. Alternatively, selecting a specialist could provide more natural defensive positioning and allow Valverde to influence the game from midfield. The final decision may depend on fitness, tactical matchups and how Madrid expect Barcelona to attack.
Why the right-back choice matters in the Clásico
Clásicos are often decided by small tactical details, and the right-back position can be particularly exposed. Barcelona’s wide players and overlapping runs can force defenders to make quick decisions: hold their position, press high or track runners into dangerous areas. A player with Valverde’s speed and work rate could help Madrid manage those demands, but his movement away from midfield could also affect the team’s balance elsewhere.
For supporters and football analysts, the uncertainty makes the lineup prediction more intriguing. Mourinho’s refusal to name his preferred option may be a simple effort to protect his plans, but it also reflects the competitive nature of selection before a major fixture. With the match approaching, every appearance and training update could provide clues—though nothing in his comments confirms that Valverde will start at right-back.
Madrid’s recent use of the midfielder suggests that the coaching staff see the role as a workable option. Still, Mourinho’s praise was carefully limited to Valverde’s performance, not a promise about what comes next. That distinction keeps the focus on the player’s recent contribution while leaving the Clásico decision open.
Mourinho avoids naming his best-ever goalkeeper
The discussion also turned to Thibaut Courtois, with Mourinho asked whether the Real Madrid goalkeeper was the best shot-stopper he had coached. Once again, he avoided ranking his former players. Instead, he recalled Courtois’s early years at Chelsea, when the young Belgian became a first-choice goalkeeper despite competing with Petr Čech, whom Mourinho described as the best goalkeeper in Premier League history.
Mourinho pointed to the title-winning season in which Courtois played in goal while Čech featured in cup competitions. The example illustrated how a coach’s selection can reflect the needs of a particular team and moment, rather than a definitive judgment about a player’s place in history.
He also explained why he avoids choosing an all-time best from among the goalkeepers he has coached over more than two decades. Such a ranking could easily be taken as a slight by the others. Mourinho joked that Júlio César, his former Inter Milan goalkeeper, would call him almost immediately if he publicly declared Courtois the greatest—especially since Mourinho won the Champions League with the Brazilian in goal.
“I have always maintained this kind of respect towards my former players,” Mourinho said. His answer reflects a consistent approach: praise individuals for what they have achieved, but avoid comparisons that could diminish the contribution of others. It also shows why he can be reluctant to provide the simple verdicts reporters often seek.
What Mourinho’s comments reveal—and what they don’t
Together, Mourinho’s remarks offer approval without certainty. Valverde’s performance has impressed him, but the coach has not confirmed whether the midfielder will start at right-back against Barcelona. Courtois has earned his trust, yet Mourinho will not label him the best goalkeeper he has ever worked with. In both cases, he has chosen measured praise over a headline-making declaration.
That caution leaves the central football question unanswered: will Madrid rely on Valverde’s versatility or choose a natural right-back for the Clásico? The answer will shape more than one position, influencing Madrid’s midfield options and their approach to defending Barcelona’s attacks. Until the teams are announced, the best prediction remains an informed guess rather than a certainty.
For now, Mourinho has offered one clear message: Valverde performed well, and the selection decision is still his to make. As the Clásico draws closer, Madrid fans will be watching for further clues—but the Special One has made it clear that he is not giving away his plan in advance.
