Claude Makelele, Real Madrid and France legend
Claude Makelele, Real Madrid and France legend
Real Madrid’s defeat to Atletico Madrid last evening brought to the fore several of the team’s deficiencies, primarily with respect to the lack of a clear game plan.
Los Blancos were uninspiring on the night once again, and while they conveniently deflected the blame onto the refereeing, they were second-best even when there were twenty-two players on the field.
Real Madrid’s form on the road has been largely poor this season, and the defeat to Atletico Madrid marked their second defeat away from home, thus taking them six points behind Barcelona.
Heading into the international break, Jose Mourinho has a lot to think about as there are several urgent fixes required if the team are to remain competitive throughout the course of the season.
Makelele’s thoughts
Speaking to the media in a recent interaction via GOAL, former Real Madrid player and club legend Claude Makelele explained what was lacking in the current team under Jose Mourinho and why the team were struggling.
Mourinho has a big problem to solve. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
“There is no understanding between the players, or between the players and the coach. Mourinho needs to talk to them.”
He then elaborated on the fact that the team lack inspiration on the field and how the team have to do far better.
“The team is weak, there’s no game plan or clear ideas. There’s absolutely nothing. We have to demand more from them.”
Finally, he lashed out at the team for hiding behind the excuse of refereeing and stated firmly that retrospection was far more important at this point in time.
“The problem isn’t the referee; there’s a clear deficiency in the team.”
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach
Serious retrospection needed. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s instinctive idea to deflect the blame of Sunday’s defeat on the referee may have some merit, but it largely comes across as a means to cover up a glaring issue that requires fixing.
There is, thus, a serious need for the team and management to reflect and own up to their flaws, for the mark of a great team lies in identifying their setbacks.
As stated by Makelele, Real Madrid’s primary issue this season is their lack of unity, creativity and a game plan – and all eyes will be on Jose Mourinho to see how he addresses the same.
After all, the manager has been strongly backed by the board, and it is now his time to deliver results.
Average position map exposes major Real Madrid problem with Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius of Real Madrid
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Sometimes, a tactical problem can be explained better by one image than by detailed analysis from performance analysts at a club.
Real Madrid’s average position map from the 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid is one of those occasions.
Los Blancos travelled to the Metropolitano, which has not been a happy hunting ground for them for the past eight years.
In a derby marred by refereeing controversy, Madrid were reduced to 10 men after Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half.
Jose Mourinho made no attempt to hide his thoughts about the refereeing, but there were some concerning patterns emerging from the performance.
One of them is a cause for concern: Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe’s average positions were effectively identical. In fact, the Brazilian’s marker is hidden underneath the Frenchman’s on the graphic.
🚨 The average position of each Real Madrid player on the pitch vs Atletico Madrid. @lequipe
Kylian Mbappé and Vini Jr had the EXACT same average position, to the point where Vini cannot even be seen on the graphic 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WLOUj2BAFM
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 20, 2026
There could not be a clearer visual representation of an issue Mourinho needs to solve.
Vinicius and Mbappe are occupying the same territory
The problem is not simply that both players prefer the left. Great attackers can rotate positions and combine in the same channel.
The issue comes when their movements repeatedly take them towards the same spaces without someone consistently providing width or threatening elsewhere.
Mbappe naturally gravitates left even when starting as the centre-forward. Vinicius, meanwhile, has built his game around receiving on that same side and attacking defenders from there.
Against Atletico, that overlap became particularly noticeable. One first-half counter-attack even saw Arda Guler moving into space on the right while Vinicius instead turned back towards Mbappe on his left.
Madrid therefore risk becoming predictable. If Vinicius stays wide, Mbappe can attack the inside-left channel.
If Mbappe drifts outside, Vinicius needs the freedom and understanding to attack central spaces.
When both arrive in essentially the same areas, one can end up reducing the other’s room, rendering them ineffective.
Mourinho needs complementary movement
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid player
Jose Mourinho need to find a way to get Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. to co-exist. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
This is particularly important because Vinicius is already enduring a difficult start to the season individually.
He has scored only once from 24 shots across Madrid’s opening eight matches, while his take-on numbers and efficiency have also fallen sharply.
The solution is not necessarily choosing between them. Madrid would be giving up an enormous attacking ceiling by reaching that conclusion too early.
Instead, Mourinho has to build a structure that separates their starting positions while still allowing combinations.
That could mean demanding greater discipline from Vinicius on the touchline, using Mbappe more centrally, or ensuring the duo rotate during games.
The onus is also on the likes of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler to occupy complementary roles on the right to support Vinicius and Mbappe.
There were obviously other reasons Madrid struggled at the Metropolitano, including Dean Huijsen’s second-half dismissal.
Los Blancos also created very little even when the game was played 11 vs 11.
However, the average position map highlights an issue that has been prevalent at Madrid for a few seasons now.
Madrid possess two devastating left-sided attackers. The challenge is making sure that playing them together multiplies their threat rather than diminishing it.
Mourinho has a huge task on his hands to bring the best out of his attackers, and it remains to be seen whether Vinicius can rediscover his best level during the international break.