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Mourinho faces tactical dilemma

The charismatic Portuguese coach went into Saturday's 1-1 La Liga draw against the same opposition with an ultra-cautious approach that was not to the liking of former Real great Alfredo Di Stefano.

The club's honorary president described Barcelona as a lion playing with a mouse and called for a different strategy in the King's Cup, the second game in a four-match sequence of 'Clasico' confrontations to be played over 18 days.

"Saturday's game should give pause for thought on how to face up to the next because trying to play Barcelona on the break clearly isn't the most adequate," the 84-year-old Di Stefano wrote in the sports daily Marca.

"Barca treat the ball with respect, adoration, they almost pamper it. To watch this team in action is a delight."

Mourinho's side sat back at the Bernabeu on Saturday in the hope of stealing a goal on the break, frustrating Barca enough to prevent his opposite number Pep Guardiola making it six wins from six games against Real.

Coming back from 1-0 down with 10 men had home fans proclaiming a "draw that tasted like a victory" even though it effectively ended their chances of catching the leaders who maintained an eight-point advantage with six games left.

Mourinho's decision to convert Pepe from centre-back into muscular midfield destroyer with two other holding midfielders was his major tactical change on Saturday and the player he sacrificed was Mesut Ozil.

With the league now a long shot Real's remaining options for their first silverware since 2008 lie in the King's Cup, a trophy they last lifted in 1993, and the Champions League where they meet Barca in a semi-final first leg next week.

Guardiola, who won the King's Cup in a treble-winning season with Barca in 2009, has another treble in his sights and is unlikely to change his tried and tested formula.

"I'll go for sure but I don't know if I'll be able to play," shaggy-haired captain Puyol told reporters.

When asked whether Barca would consider any changes after being frustrated on Saturday, he replied: "Everyone plays the way they believe and using their best weapons.

"We have a philosophy and a way of playing and we will always respect it."

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