Valdano Backs Mourinho: The 'Duties' Tactic and the Trap of a Perfect Record

I saw it in Mourinho's early phase at Real Madrid—not in the glamorous goals, but in how Ronaldo and midfielders tracked back to close down space. That season, Veron or Ozil were not just creators; they were part of a deliberate pressing mechanism. And the only one brave enough to articulate this was Jorge Valdano, the Real Madrid legend. In my regular tactical analysis, I always ask: "What is the number behind this comment?" When Valdano stated, "starting from the pressing, everyone looked more connected and inspired," it was not empty flattery. It was visual evidence that Jose Mourinho was building a collective defensive system before unlocking attack. But the deeper story lies in a potential blind spot: the current perfect record might be masking a tactical flaw that is silently eroding the squad. The context was easy to misinterpret. Real Madrid had a flawless table. They had just edged past Espanyol 2-1, a win that did not reflect true dominance on the pitch. While commentators focused on the goals, I replayed the footage three times. The third time, I saw what the scoreline hid: the imbalance on the flanks when forwards abandoned position to keep the ball. Mourinho noticed. He did not scream in the locker room. He used the press conference to warn the entire team. "We cannot perform miracles with 10, 11, or even 15 players," Mourinho said. "We need this entire squad." This was a strategic message, not emotional management. With a congested schedule across four competitions, squad depth is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for maintaining pressing intensity. If rest is insufficient, pressing breaks, and spaces open up like a wall with cracks. Valdano understood this hidden layer. The former sporting director, who had power struggles with Mourinho previously, publicly backed the Portuguese tactician. "I feel Mourinho is working very effectively on the players' duties," Valdano said. He emphasized that while talent was present, if defensive duties were drilled, the team would maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes. Here, tactics are not on the board. They are in the space between the wide players and the center-backs. Perisic dropping deep is not sacrifice; it is the key turn. Similarly, Mourinho demanding attacking stars to press from the first minute was his way of turning Real Madrid from a collection of bright individuals into a synchronized machine. But simultaneously, this is a double-edged sword. The execution blind spot lies in the "perfect record" itself. I am always wary of teams starting the season without result-related difficulties, as psychological pressure accumulates exponentially. Each subsequent match becomes a "must-win." Against Real Betis at La Cartuja—a neutral venue due to technical reasons at Betis's home—the risk of dropping points rises visibly. Betis is not a weak opponent. They know how to trouble the giants, especially when the away side carries the burden of protecting a perfect record. Mourinho prepared for the worst-case scenario. He used words to create polarization: either you are professional and work for the team, or you will be dropped from the lineup. This is his signature style: using public pressure to prevent complacency. But as an analyst, I see the risk of second-layer defense neglect. When attacking players are pressed too deep, they fatigue, and spaces appear behind them. That is when opponents like Betis, with fast counter-attacks, will target. Morocco did not build a wall. They built a maze. Mourinho's Real Madrid then did the same: they did not just press; they lured opponents into controlled zones. But that maze only works when all links are intact. If one player loses motivation due to lack of playing time, the entire structure can collapse from within. I watched it three times. The third time, I saw the link between Valdano's words and tactical reality: the return of collective discipline. But I also saw underlying anxiety. A perfect record is a beautiful shield, but it shatters easily if the team relies too much on individual moments rather than systemic stability. The question is not whether Real Madrid will maintain form, but whether Mourinho can balance the pressure of four competitions and the mental health of his stars before the season enters its most critical stage. Winning is not the only destination. The sustainability of the structure is what determines the true champion.