Real Madrid's eighth straight win: Mourinho finally has a thread to pull

Real Madrid went into the November international break on a high: eight straight wins, the latest a 3-0 at Valencia's Mestalla. For the first time in three seasons, the team seems to have found a thread to pull. And yes, Valverde is playing right-back.

What happened? ⚽

Back in late September, Madrid left for the previous break after a 2-1 defeat at Atlético's Metropolitano, a match marked by refereeing controversy. This time they leave with a winning streak.

The odd part is how little changed. Between the line-ups for those two games there are only two new names: Diomande in for Vinicius, and Bernardo Silva in for Dumfries.

Since the 4-1 win over Sevilla three weeks ago, José Mourinho's tweaks have been few but sharp. He brought Bernardo back (just 50 minutes in the previous month and a half) alongside Tchouameni. He moved Valverde to right-back. And Diomande has made the left wing his own.

Why is everyone talking about it?

Mourinho's favourite part is the work without the ball. Madrid's last three managers, Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa, all complained about players not pressing or staying compact. Now the coach says: "They have responded individually and as a team. The credit is theirs, I do my normal job." His verdict: "This team smells good."

The numbers back him up. According to Opta, Madrid have won back almost six more balls per game in the last eight matches than in the first eight of the season. They also complete 12 more good passes per game in the opposition half.

The attack is flowing too. Güler has three goals and four assists in this spell, Mbappé has scored in seven games running, and Valverde has netted in two straight. Diomande has four goals and three assists. Vinicius, currently suspended, has one goal all season. Madrid have also won four away games in a row, including at the Camp Nou.

No public rows this time either, unlike under Alonso or during Arbeloa's clashes with some Spanish players.

What's next?

Courtois is still needed for key saves, so this isn't a finished product. And Vinicius is available again on Saturday 21 November at home to Celta, so Mourinho has a delicate decision. He has shifted from promising to stick with the Brazilian until he recovers his best form to saying the team comes first.

It's also a year since Madrid's big collapse: the Vinicius–Xabi clash in the clásico, then six straight away games with only two wins. This time the mood is very different.