Mourinho does what others could not: what has changed at Real Madrid?

The website Defensa Central reported what Peña said on his YouTube channel: "I really believe the credit should go to Jose Mourinho. He came in to make those shocking decisions that not even Carlo Ancelotti took in his fourth season, perhaps out of gratitude to the players after they had won everything, just as Xabi Alonso was unable to do so, perhaps because he did not receive the support, or was not given the chance, or because he lacked the flexibility and shrewdness needed to deal with the situation."

On Arbeloa, he added: "As for Arbeloa, he arrived in very turbulent circumstances, after the season had already become complicated."

Peña went on: "The truth is that none of them managed to steer the ship and take control of the dressing room and run it, whereas Mourinho succeeds in doing so. He has achieved this thanks to his vast experience, his maturity and his sound decisions."

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Bold tactical calls that then come off, the Spanish journalist explained, strengthen a squad's faith in their coach. Pena pointed to Mourinho's team selection for the Clasico as the perfect example. "You also earn the respect of the dressing room when you make decisions like choosing the line-up you play the Clasico with, and then everything goes exactly as you planned. That's when the players look at each other and start thinking: my God, this man knows what he's doing."

Real Madrid can compete on every front this season, Pena insisted, in La Liga and the Champions League alike. He believes the team can now fight to the finish, a clear shift from the past two campaigns.

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