They can spend long spells without the ball and still be the side that looks like scoring, because they break forward quickly when they win it.
“In this match, Real Madrid were defending for the larger part of the match, and although they risked conceding goals, this playing style made them more dangerous upfront as they relied on a periodic high press and on counterattacks when possible, without exposing their defensive line.”Mourinho's Madrid are happy without the ball: they beat Inter with barely a third of it, at home.
“They did so despite having just 35.6% possession, at home.”When they win it, Vinícius, Mbappé, Brahim and Bellingham break at you at speed.
“Madrid caused Inter plenty of problems on the counter, with their front four of Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Brahim Díaz and Jude Bellingham able to exploit gaps routinely, especially in the second half.”Compared with last season they defend much further up the pitch and try to win the ball back straight away.
“Es decir, el equipo defiende aproximadamente 20 metros más adelantado, una disposición a la que se añaden unas líneas más juntas (abajo) y la intención de recuperar el balón de forma agresiva y lo antes posible.”That is, the team defends about 20 metres further forward, with the lines closer together and the intention of winning the ball back aggressively and as soon as possible. our translation
Mourinho wants his side to attack at speed with first-time passes, and to press from the front with every player picking up a man.
“El plan estratégico de juego ha sido asumido por sus hombres, aunque lleven una semana a su lado, porque las premisas son muy claras: en ataque quiere fútbol de creación a un toque, velocidad, pase a la primera y remate sin parar, mientras que en el bloque defensivo exige presión desde arriba y marcaje individual de cada futbolista a su rival particular.”The players have taken on the game plan after only a week with him, because the principles are very clear: in attack he wants one-touch football, speed, first-time passing and shooting without stopping, while in defence he demands pressing from the front and every player marking his own opponent. our translation
Mourinho has put two defensive midfielders in front of the back four. This is a more cautious Madrid than the one you remember.
“A 4-2-3-1, with two holding midfielders in front of the back four rather than the single anchor and two runners Madrid leaned on last term.”Everything is aimed at Mbappé through the middle, with Vinícius back out on the left where he can run at his full-back.
“Mbappé becomes the central reference, the man the structure is built to feed. Vinícius returns to the left touchline, the flank where his first touch faces the goal and the game opens up in front of him rather than around him.”They are content to let you have the ball. The dangerous moment is the four seconds after you lose it.
“sit in shape, deny the space behind, absorb the waves and turn the moment of a lost Barcelona ball into four seconds of Mbappé and Vinícius running at a defence”Mourinho does not mind the other side having the ball, as long as they are nowhere near his goal.
“No persigue la posesión como objetivo aislado y acepta cederla cuando el rival circula en zonas poco peligrosas.”He does not chase possession for its own sake, and accepts giving it up when the opponent is passing it around in harmless areas. our translation