REAL MADRID, Özil wins over Mourinho

© foto di Giuseppe Celeste/Image Sport

Mourinho has spent the whole season pressuring Mesut Özil. The Portuguese coach made it clear in Amsterdam, less than a week ago, that the German wasn't working to the best of his ability. But when the moment of truth arrived, Mou selected him for the game in the Camp Nou.

The manager took a look at previous performances and noticed that Özil always shines in Barcelona. You can lay criticism at the German's door for tiring towards the end of matches, but he never hides. He rises to the occasion when he's playing at the Camp Nou, and Sunday was no exception.

Özil skilfully controlled Madrid's attacking play. He gave Barça a real headache, with the 'Azulgrana' players finding it difficult to mark Madrid's playmaker. He was the Madrid player who touched the ball the most times, almost always with purpose and trying to get in behind Mascherano and Adriano. One of his millimetre-perfect through balls found CR7, allowing the Portuguese to level the score at two all.

The link up play between Özil and Cristiano is starting to become a classic part of the 'Clásico' games. This is the fourth consecutive time the German has laid a goal on for Ronaldo at the Camp Nou.

However, Özil didn't just shine up front. He knuckled down and put on a great defensive display, which is why Mourinho kept him on the pitch for a full 75 minutes. In the end he brought him off because the player was getting exhausted. "He played very well and showed great quality. I took him off because he was exhausted, because he isn’t used to running like that in games", assured the Portuguese, trying to squeeze the most he can out of his talented player.