Jose Mourinho dropped to his knees and celebrated Real Madrid’s victory over Barcelona with his tongue out and his fist clenched — a typical Mourinho moment. But El Clasico also delivered two important messages about the project taking shape at Madrid under their Portuguese coach. The first was that this team has the footballing quality and the resources to compete with a Barcelona side that went into the game as favourites. The second was that, at 63, Mourinho still has plenty to offer at the highest level of European football, despite not having won a league title since the 2014-15 Premier League triumph during his second spell at Chelsea. Even within the short context of this season so far, it marked something of a dramatic turnaround for the Bernabeu club. 📝 @GuillermoRai_ 🔗 nyti.ms/4z8oT0G

Jose Mourinho’s clever Clasico gameplan showed why he remains a top-class manager. With defensive solidity and attacking ambition down the flanks, Real Madrid exploited Barcelona's weaknesses — and Kylian Mbappe profited with a brace. Stylistically, it was very similar to successes against Lionel Messi and co., back in his first spell as Bernabeu boss. 📝 @Zonal_Marking nyti.ms/4srFQkk