Jose Mourinho made the same mistake Xabi Alonso made vs Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid lost to Atletico Madrid in a hugely disappointing and embarrassing fashion. They were out-duelled, out-run, out-muscled and out-played in every single part of the match, and they fully deserved the loss that came towards them.

Real Madrid had no answer for Atletico in the second half due to the red card, but also had no bite or character going forward when they were not a man down. Even then, they looked like a team that had already accepted defeat.

Real Madrid need to change that as soon as possible. Jose Mourinho needs to change that as soon as possible, because without that change, there will be no wins in big games, no matter what lineup he picks.

Jose Mourinho played the biggest names over the better players, just like Xabi Alonso did

However, it is worth noting that, it would have been in Real Madrid's best interest if he had gone for a lineup that maximised the team's chances to win. They probably would have lost either way, but the mistakes Mourinho made while picking the team need to be highlighted.

Vinicius Junior has been in terrible form all season. He has regressed since the World Cup, and it just does not seem like he is a competitive player who can provide Real Madrid value on the pitch in these games.

Starting him over a much more decisive player in Yan Diomande is a huge mistake that Mourinho made, and it is also something that Xabi Alonso was criticised for in his first derby at the Wanda Metropolitano in September last year.

It was a completely different situation, but it saw the same exact mistake from the Spaniard, too. Jude Bellingham had just come back from injury, and rather than starting someone else in his place, Bellingham got the nod just because of the name that he carried, not keeping in mind the form he was in or how match fit he actually was.

With Vinicius Junior and Mourinho, the problem was not the Brazilian returning from some injury. It was the same that fans had seen all season long - Vinicius Junior was not good enough to start for Real Madrid in such a crucial game, the same way Aurelien Tchouameni was not good enough to start in midfield.

However, Mourinho still made that mistake, and regardless of whether the change would have tilted the tie towards his team, the mistake is on him.

Mourinho now has three weeks to plan and prepare for the season ahead, and he would need to start making the big decisions if he wants to bring back a winning culture at Real Madrid.