Jose Mourinho’s tactical report of five Barcelona players from 2006: Leaked

Jose Mourinho tactically broke down Barcelona player’s pros and cons

Money was not omitted by Jose Mourinho and Andre Villas-Boas in the weeks leading up for Barcelona in the 2005–06 campaign.

To be truthful, it would be understating the tactical analysis performed by the two Portuguese football coaches on the Spanish team.

Football enthusiasts now get the chance to get a behind-the-scenes peek at the Special One’s management as a result of Performance Evaluation in Action.

Here are a few of the highlights.

Mourinho and Villas-Boas looking at Carles Puyol: “Aggressive, but very emotional. Gets crazy with the referee in fouls against him and goes mad in provocations. Aggressive defender, plays in anticipation using [his] body.

“Bad positional sense (comes to midfield with striker) and bad leadership of defence (wants to do offside when it’s not possible). Because he uses his body strength to regain possession, we can provoke contacts in the final third or outside the box. Good heading ability and power.”

‏Mourinho and Villas-Boas looking at Andrés Iniesta: “Always comes on from the bench. Very dynamic player. Great radius of action. Speed of movement and speed of execution. Tricky player.”

Trending World Football Articles:

• Top four players with most goals in 2023
• Top six players with most assists in 2023
• Best goals scored in football in 2023: Ranked
• Top 10 best footballers of 2023: Ranked
• Best football matches of 2023: Ranked

Mourinho and Villas-Boas looking at Ronaldinho: “Technical quality to avoid defender on first touch. When opened receives the ball and the attacks full-back 1 vs 1 (inside to shoot or outside to cross).

“Much more dangerous when provocating spaces inside (between lines) from those positions forces a central defender out and then with a pen. Pass releases Messi, Eto’o or the penetrating midfielder. Very poor defensive transition and defensive work — exploit. Constant cheater — falls easily.”

The erstwhile Roma manager was also acutely cognizant of Lionel Messi’s threat, having made his way into Barcelona’s first squad in 2004.

Mourinho and Villas-Boas looking at Messi: “Quality + speed, but very left footed. Exactly the same behaviours as Ronaldinho. Inside between lines or diagonals. Encourages team forward by ball driving. Amazing 1 vs 1. If option is to foul him, it’s important to do it outside the box and as early as possible. [Has] recovered from an injury recently.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.