Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Loss to Barca Should Fuel Changes at Real Madrid

At what point do you look across the pitch at your rival, take a deep breath and admit that they're just better than you are?

If Barcelona beats Real Madrid again in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal this afternoon, it's probably time for Real Madrid to do just that. And once they've made that admission, it's time for changes to be made.

Consider the following: Barcelona has won there straight La Liga titles. They've won two of the last three UEFA Champions League titles. They've compiled a 5-1-3 record against Real Madrid since Jose Mourinho took over as manager, and that one win came in extra time.

Perhaps therein lies the problem. Mourinho and this club, as constructed, simply can't topple Barcelona. Changes need to be made if Barcelona continues to foil Real Madrid.

He's even beginning to lose the support of his players, as Peter Staunton noted on Goal.com:

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Two more defeats have left Mourinho a little more sunken around the eyes, greyer on his thatch, ever more unpleasant in his engagements with media and now, indeed, his players. Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas, the club captain, are seemingly mutinous - scandalised by their team's approach to matches against Barcelona and disdainful of their manager's record as a player.

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One controversial approach has been starting Pepe, an aggressive player who is widely thought of as a thug at this point, against Barca. Stomping on Messi's hand in the last match didn't help his reputation.

It's a tricky situation for Mourinho from a tactical standpoint. Pepe disrupted Barca's midfield but did so in a less-than-graceful manner. Other tactics haven't seemed to faze Barca—unleasing Real's vaunted attack, utilizing physical challenges, finding a balance between the two and even basing the offense on strong counter-attacks have all failed to bring Real the results they desire.

But the issues may go even deeper than Mourinho's tactics, as Miguel Delaney contemplated for ESPN:

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In contrast to that structure, Real have resembled - and often acted like - a shapeless mess. Typically, the Galacticos brought short-term success but destabilised the club long-term. It is by no means an exaggeration to argue that, unless Real completely alter the entire infrastructure of the club, it's going to be almost impossible to overtake Barcelona while Guardiola is in charge ... with one exception: keeping Mourinho.

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For all he tries different tactics and styles, they continue to fail. As Delaney notes, sometimes the opposite side is just better. And that's where changes are needed.

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If a manager with Mourinho's record cannot find the solution, then there is likely only one left: Real must do what Barcelona do did in 2003 and completely redirect the club. History will have to be reversed again. Otherwise, Barca will keep making it.

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It seems a stark judgement to determine that the team currently first in La Liga standings should alter the infrastructure of its organization and team. But if you can't find a way to beat up the bully who keeps stealing your lunch money, sometimes you just have to find a different way to get to class.

Even if you have to take the long way.

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