Mourinho Faces a Major Tactical Decision Before Barcelona Clash as Arda Guler Features in Every Plan

Real Madrid are preparing for their El Clasico showdown against Barcelona amid tactical discussions that could bring several surprises to the starting lineup. Yet one name appears prominently in all three scenarios being considered by Jose Mourinho. With the highly anticipated clash approaching, attention has turned to the Portuguese coach’s decision regarding Turkish star Arda Guler as both sides prepare for one of the season’s biggest matches.

The issue goes beyond whether the young midfielder will feature. His potential role and exact position could depend on the formation Mourinho ultimately selects. With central midfield and the right wing both under consideration, several possibilities could directly influence Real Madrid’s attacking balance against their traditional rivals.

According to Turkish Football, citing reports from Turkish and Spanish media, Mourinho is considering three different tactical setups for the match against Barcelona, with Guler included in the starting lineup in all three scenarios. This reported approach highlights the importance of the Turkish international in the coach’s plans, particularly given his ability to operate in multiple positions and offer different solutions in attack.

The report identified a group of players expected to feature prominently in Mourinho’s plans, including Thibaut Courtois, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ousmane Diomande, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler. The choice of right-back remains one of the key factors that could determine the final lineup.

In the first scenario, Valverde would operate at right-back, potentially allowing Guler to play in central midfield as a playmaker behind Mbappe. Endrick or Bernardo Silva could then occupy the right-wing position. This setup would allow the Turkish midfielder to use his passing ability and movement between the lines while providing additional attacking options around the French forward.

The second scenario involves selecting Denzel Dumfries or Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, with Guler moving to the right wing. In this arrangement, Valverde could operate in central midfield alongside Tchouameni, helping the team maintain a balance between defensive responsibilities and attacking transitions.

The third option presents a different arrangement. Dumfries or Alexander-Arnold could start at right-back, Valverde could move to the right wing, and Guler could remain in central midfield. This setup would provide Mourinho with greater flexibility in distributing responsibilities, allowing him to benefit from Valverde’s forward runs and Guler’s ability to create chances from central areas.

Mourinho’s most important tactical decision therefore appears to involve determining Valverde’s position while selecting the most suitable right-back for the match. Those choices could directly determine whether Guler operates as a central playmaker or moves into the right-wing channel. According to the report, the Turkish international remains part of all three starting-lineup scenarios.

The attention surrounding Guler also reflects his development at Real Madrid, where he has become one of the players relied upon to create chances and diversify the team’s attacking options. The report placed his market value at €100 million and credited him with 21 goals and 30 assists in 123 appearances for the club. These figures were reported by the source and should be independently verified before being treated as definitive statistics.

The match carries additional significance because of the battle for the top of La Liga. According to the figures cited in the report, Barcelona enter the fixture with 27 points after nine victories, while Real Madrid have 21 points, leaving a six-point gap between the teams ahead of the anticipated encounter.

Ultimately, the report suggests that Guler is strongly expected to feature in Real Madrid’s starting lineup against Barcelona, although his precise role will depend on Mourinho’s tactical decisions. Whether he operates centrally or on the right wing, the positioning of Valverde and the selection of the right-back could prove crucial in determining Real Madrid’s approach to El Clasico.