Mourinho plans Rudiger-Konate pairing for Clasico, drops Huijsen

Antonio Rudiger and Ibrahima Konate are expected to form the central defensive partnership for Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Barcelona, according to journalist Santiago Segurola. The report indicates that head coach Jose Mourinho plans to drop Spain international Dean Huijsen from the starting lineup for this high-profile fixture.

Defensive selection strategy

Segurola stated on Spanish radio station "Onda Cero" that Mourinho lacks sufficient defensive confidence in Huijsen. This assessment persists despite the young defender completing all 90 minutes during a recent 4-1 victory over Sevilla. The Portuguese manager reportedly prioritizes experienced players for significant matches.

"Huijsen may be a substitute, yes," Segurola said. "Mourinho does not trust him much defensively. I think he will play against Leipzig, and that Rudiger will start against Barcelona, despite the difficulty of him playing two consecutive matches. I assume Rudiger and Konate will play in the Clasico."

Huijsen's offensive contributions

While discussing potential demotion, Segurola highlighted Huijsen’s technical strengths. The Spaniard demonstrates unique capabilities in build-up phases and ball progression into advanced zones. His performance against Sevilla illustrated these traits, as he distributed play along the left flank and assumed a playmaking function.

Barcelona's defensive vulnerabilities

In contrast, Segurola identified Barcelona’s defense as a notable weakness susceptible to counterattacks. He argued that the Catalan club must improve their rear guard to compete effectively in the Champions League. The availability of Pau Cubarsi is critical; losing him would create substantial problems for the team.

The journalist noted that Barcelona currently lacks the defensive solidity required to match rivals in major contests. This structural deficiency remains a key concern for their title aspirations.

Criticism of referee pressure

Both clubs faced criticism from Segurola for attempting to influence officials through complaints. Controversial decisions in Barcelona’s match against Real Betis and Real Madrid’s game against Sevilla sparked ongoing disputes. Segurola argued that persistent grievances increase pressure on referees.

"It is extremely shameful for Real Madrid and Barcelona to grumble about the referees and pressure them, and to turn the competition into something extremely ugly," he said.

Two specific incidents exemplified this issue: the disallowed goal by Giovani Lo Celso against Real Betis and the controversial call involving Arda Guler against Sevilla. Segurola warned that such events invite further refereeing controversies. Officials now feel intimidated by the mounting criticism and external pressure.