Mourinho Talks Real Madrid's Journey Before El Clásico

Real Madrid coach José Mourinho has called his team a work in progress ahead of Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona. He said the players are still getting used to his style and leadership after spending just a short time together.

Mourinho confidently stated, ‘Madrid with Mourinho wins titles’ before the clash with Barcelona. He dismissed claims that this match would show if his team could compete for major trophies.

“No. Madrid with Mourinho wins titles,” he said when asked if the match would test his ability to win trophies, according to a Saturday report from Real Madrid’s official website.

While talking to reporters at the Ciudad Real Madrid training ground ahead of the La Liga Matchday 10 at Camp Nou, Mourinho said it is unfair to compare his team’s current state to one that has been together for two or three years.

“We’ve been working for three months. If you take away the preseason, where players were arriving every week, and the nearly three weeks they spent with their national teams, we’ve been working for a month and a half or two months,” Mourinho said.

“Far from being a finished product, we are a product in progress. We’re in a phase where the coach is getting to know, analyzing, and defining paths. The players are also getting to know their coach, his way of acting and leading.

“Comparing a team in this state with a team that has been together for two or three years doesn’t seem fair to me. Then, when we play less well or when the result is negative, criticism is part of it.”

Mourinho also mentioned that recent results won't greatly affect the match on Sunday. This is despite Real Madrid's recent wins and Barcelona's loss to Paris Saint-Germain.

“We are in a good dynamic. We win matches, play well, score goals… But in Clasicos, it has no influence; they are different matches. In my experience with Clasicos and derbies, what happens before doesn’t have much significance,” he said.

The Madrid manager added that Barcelona’s recent defeat would not change their confidence going into the game.

“I said before that the moment tells me nothing or very little in these matches. If instead of winning 4-1 against Leipzig, we had lost 4-1, my mindset going into this match wouldn’t be different.

“I don’t think Barcelona, because they lost one match, will change their mindset and confidence going into this match.”

Mourinho also addressed the attention given to Barcelona compared to the criticism of Real Madrid. He said praise for Barcelona won’t change his approach.

“People who, a week ago, thought Barça could thrash us probably still think the same. I don’t think the Paris match or the Leipzig match at the Bernabéu will change their idea or way of thinking.

“Speaking well of Barcelona doesn’t affect me and has nothing to do with me. To be honest, there are moments and matches where they deserve to be spoken of highly when they do very good things,” he said.

He added that Real Madrid should not be judged as if they had reached their final form.

“In our case, the only thing I think is that if you see us as a finished product, finished products in football are very rare because they are never truly finished.”

Mourinho also mentioned that the global appeal of the match is more important than who the coaches are.

“Real Madrid-Barcelona means at least two Clasicos per season, sometimes more. It doesn’t matter much who the coaches are; the most important thing is the global dimension of a Clasico, which is unique.

“There are other important derbies in the world of football, but this one is unique, and usually, the football-loving world stops to watch it. Let it be a great match and may we win,” he said.

When asked if he feels he gets enough credit for his work, Mourinho said he wants his players to be recognized when they do well. He takes the blame when the team struggles.

“I feel that Real Madrid is like that. But I only seek to give credit to my players when they do well and accept criticism as a coach when we do less well. That’s the history, not only of Real Madrid but of practically all coaches in the world.

“Players win matches, and coaches lose them; that’s a bit of our life.”

On Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, Mourinho praised the quality of the opposition but said his team won’t change their identity for any player.

“They are all very good. It’s the same at Madrid. Whether at Madrid or Barcelona, I can’t find a player who isn’t very good; they are all very good. He’s a great player, and great players are respected.

“Respecting someone is one thing; changing plans, structures, and forgetting your own essence is another. We won’t do that with him or any other high-quality opponent.”

Mourinho did not reveal his tactical plans for the match. He said he wouldn’t discuss his strategy or selection.

“Yes, but I’m not going to answer that. It’s better to ask another question. You can ask another because, about game plans, who will play, how we’ll structure ourselves, or in which direction we’ll try to take the match, these are questions I won’t answer. I’m honest; I could sit here spinning in circles without saying anything.”

The manager also talked about questions about the referee and reports about his relationship with former referee José María Enríquez Negreira.

“You kind of catch me by surprise with this. The referee’s name has never bothered me. I always start from the principle that the referee is good. It never bothers me to know if the referee is A, B, or C.

“What bothers me a little is when the rules are broken, which, according to internal information, have not been broken yet. Three weeks ago, the name of one referee came out; this week, it’s another. But internally at Real Madrid, no one has told me, ‘Coach, the referee is this one.’ Whoever it is, I hope it goes well for them.”

On Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, Mourinho said: “He’s a great coach, doing an excellent job, and that’s it. I can’t say anything more.”

Real Madrid will face Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday in the 10th round of La Liga. Mourinho is looking for a victory in one of football's most followed matches.