Mourinho to study Barcelona vs PSG for selection clues ahead of El Clasico showdown

Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain could offer Jose Mourinho a valuable preview of the tactical decisions Hansi Flick must make before this weekend’s El Clasico.

According to SPORT, the Real Madrid manager will closely study Tuesday’s encounter as he prepares his side for the trip to face Barcelona, with defensive injuries potentially forcing Flick to reconsider his options.

For Real Madrid, Barcelona’s UCL clash against PSG gives them an opportunity to gather intelligence on Flick’s team, whose selection choices could influence the Clasico.

However, the German manager’s decisions against PSG will not necessarily reveal his entire plan, particularly if the demands of the European fixture differ from those of the domestic showdown.

Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia are both unavailable for the PSG match, leaving Flick with decisions to make about how to organise his defence.

Mourinho is expected to pay particular attention to the German’s replacements and how Barcelona compensate for the absences.

Kounde’s situation remains especially important ahead of El Clasico.

This is because for now, a return against Real Madrid has not been ruled out, meaning Flick could have more defensive flexibility by the weekend than he does in Paris.

That uncertainty makes Barcelona’s European fixture useful to Real Madrid, but also limits how confidently Mourinho can interpret what he sees.

The players who start against PSG may not necessarily represent Flick’s preferred combination for the Clasico if fitness conditions change.

The tactical picture at Real Madrid has also changed, as the absence of Vinicius Jr. due to suspension, Federico Valverde’s conversion into a right-back and Arda Guler’s creative influence have helped Mourinho find a different balance.

Yan Diomande and Endrick have added options on the wings, while their defensive work can provide greater protection and give Jude Bellingham more freedom.

These adjustments have seemingly helped Mourinho establish a strong structure, although the effectiveness of that approach against Barcelona remains to be tested.

The key question for now is whether Real Madrid will try to disrupt Flick through aggressive pressing or prioritise defensive security and counterattacking opportunities.

Barcelona’s meeting with PSG will therefore matter for Real Madrid, as it will show how Flick responds to defensive absences, how his team handles pressure and which attacking combinations he trusts in a high-stakes match.