Makelele questions Mourinho tactics after Real Madrid lose Madrid derby

Claude Makelele has criticised Jose Mourinho’s approach after Real Madrid suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s Madrid derby.

The former midfielder said Real Madrid lacked cohesion and questioned their performances at the start of the season, arguing that the team had no clear tactical identity.

“There is no understanding. Neither between the players nor with the coach. Mourinho must talk to them,” Makelele told ESPN.

Real Madrid have fallen to fourth in the table on 15 points, one point behind Atletico Madrid. Barcelona lead the standings with 21 points.

Makelele said he was disappointed by the way Mourinho’s side played and believed the team needed a clearer plan.

“The team is weak, there is no game plan and no clear ideas. There is nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing... Absolutely nothing. We must demand more from them,” he said.

He also rejected the suggestion that the referee was responsible for the result, saying the problems were rooted in Real Madrid’s performance.

“The problem is not the referee, there is an obvious deficiency in the team,” Makelele added.