Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering an unusual arrangement for Real Madrid‘s La Liga match at Barcelona on Sunday, with Federico Valverde and Denzel Dumfries potentially operating together on the right flank.

According to a report in MARCA, the plan would push Valverde, Real Madrid’s captain, forward from right-back into a right-wing role, with Dumfries behind him providing cover.

Valverde started at right-back in Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga win over Sevilla and in Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, giving Mourinho a new option before the season’s first Clásico.

The shift to accommodate Valverde, who normally plays in the midfield pivot, began in Rome on 14 October, when Madrid trailed Roma 3-1, and Mourinho moved Valverde into the back four. Madrid came back to win 4-3 with three goals from corners in the closing minutes.

Valverde’s influence has grown since. According to the same report, he had 116 touches against Leipzig and led Madrid for clearances, tackles and progressive passes, with 11 of the latter.

Mourinho has acknowledged that playing Valverde at right-back is painful because it means leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries on the bench. He said:

“Playing Fede as a right-back is something that pains me, because it means leaving out two players who naturally occupy this position.”

Pairing the Uruguayan with the Dutchman Dumfries would let him attack while keeping cover on the flank. The plan could be fruitful as it would help stop Anthony Gordon, who is likely to start for Barcelona in El Clásico this weekend.

Recent meetings and results between Real Madrid and Barcelona

Barcelona have won four of the last five meetings. The most recent, at the Camp Nou on 10 May 2026, ended 2-0 with goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres and confirmed Barcelona as La Liga champions.

Barcelona also won the 2026 Supercopa final 3-2 on 11 January, beat Madrid 4-3 in La Liga in May 2025 and won the Copa del Rey final 3-2 after extra time. Madrid’s only win in that run was 2-1 at the Bernabéu on 26 October 2025.

Barcelona go into Sunday’s game unbeaten in La Liga and top of the table, while Real Madrid have won four in a row in all competitions after a shaky domestic start. Madrid are in third, 6 points behind leaders Barcelona and 1 point behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, ahead of the blockbuster clash this weekend.