Camavinga's late assist puts Real Madrid within 3 points of Barcelona

Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga entered the game in the 80th minute at Camp Nou on Sunday to provide the assist for Kylian Mbappé's winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Barcelona. The result capped a three-game winning streak for the visitors and reduced their deficit at the top of LaLiga to three points.

The match marked the 13th game of José Mourinho's second tenure as manager. It was also the 13th time this season that a Madrid substitute recorded a goal or an assist. The Frenchman replaced Bernardo Silva after 80 minutes and, within seven minutes, received a pass from Arda Güler to cut the ball back to Mbappé for the decisive strike.

Mourinho explained his tactical reasoning in the post-game press conference. He stated that Aurélien Tchouaméni was instructed to hold a defensive position in central midfield. This allowed Camavinga to make forward runs into space to beat Barcelona's offside trap. The Portuguese manager noted that he has a deep bench with players capable of starting, referencing Camavinga's recent performance against Leipzig.

The win at Camp Nou ended a 19-match LaLiga winning streak for Barcelona. The defeat was their first league loss at the stadium since May 2023. Prior to this fixture, Barcelona had threatened to extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points after ten matches. Madrid's performance kept the title race within a manageable margin.

Mourinho has faced scrutiny regarding his use of substitutes earlier in the season. In six of his first 13 matches, he did not use all five allowed substitutions. Critics noted instances where the team appeared fatigued late in games, such as a 1-1 draw with Espanyol and a 1-0 loss to Real Betis. In the Betis match, forward Carlos Espí was brought on late and his overhead kick was disallowed for offside.

A 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma in the Champions League followed a period of tactical debate. Mourinho brought on Endrick and Espí in the 78th minute with the team trailing 3-1. Both players scored, and Güler provided two assists. The manager acknowledged that the five-substitution rule is a strategic element for teams with strong benches.

Mourinho admitted that a coach who does not observe the field or listen to his staff is limited. He indicated a willingness to adjust his approach based on the nuances of the 90-minute match. This shift in perspective preceded the winning run that includes victories over Sevilla, Roma, and Barcelona.

Real Madrid currently sits three points behind Barcelona in LaLiga. The club is also level on points at the top of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The squad's recent results rely heavily on late-game contributions from players like Camavinga and Mbappé.

The next scheduled fixture for Real Madrid will determine if they can maintain this momentum against the league leaders. The team's ability to convert late chances into points has become a defining feature of the current campaign under Mourinho.