@FootynewsAngel Di Maria remembers the Spanish classics as a time when his biggest terror wasn't losing the game, but watching players injure Lionel Messi. He describes how the atmosphere shifted completely from the Spanish national team, where everyone seemed like friends and world champions having fun, to the club rivalries where that friendly vibe vanished instantly. In those matches against Barcelona, the same players were engaging in kicks and punches, forgetting any camaraderie they had shared before. Jose Mourinho made it clear for Real Madrid that beating them playing well was impossible; he instructed the squad that they had to go in with their legs instead. The strategy was specific: use character, run more than the opponents, hit hard, and take advantage of the slightest chance available because when Barca started passing, they made you feel small. The first match at Camp Nou turned into a nightmare for Real Madrid, resulting in a five-goal loss where Barcelona controlled possession so effectively that players could not even see the ball. They would press high, only for the opposition to pass the ball away before they could react, making it seem impossible to compete. That defeat forced a reaction from the team, leading to a new approach described as going in with blood if they wanted to stand a chance. This shift meant accepting fights inside the pitch as part of the game. Di Maria admits that despite the aggressive tactics, he found himself afraid again of Messi being injured due to the sheer intensity of the encounters.

@FootynewsAngel Di Maria remembers the Spanish classics as a time when his biggest terror wasn't losing the game, but watching players injure Lionel Messi. He describes how the atmosphere shifted completely from the Spanish national team, where everyone seemed like friends and world champions having fun, to the club rivalries where that friendly vibe vanished instantly. In those matches against Barcelona, the same players were engaging in kicks and punches, forgetting any camaraderie they had shared before. Jose Mourinho made it clear for Real Madrid that beating them playing well was impossible; he instructed the squad that they had to go in with their legs instead. The strategy was specific: use character, run more than the opponents, hit hard, and take advantage of the slightest chance available because when Barca started passing, they made you feel small. The first match at Camp Nou turned into a nightmare for Real Madrid, resulting in a five-goal loss where Barcelona controlled possession so effectively that players could not even see the ball. They would press high, only for the opposition to pass the ball away before they could react, making it seem impossible to compete. That defeat forced a reaction from the team, leading to a new approach described as going in with blood if they wanted to stand a chance. This shift meant accepting fights inside the pitch as part of the game. Di Maria admits that despite the aggressive tactics, he found himself afraid again of Messi being injured due to the sheer intensity of the encounters.