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Jose Mourinho has insisted his Real Madrid side “will win titles” as he prepares for the first El Clasico of the season on Sunday.
Los Blancos travel to the Camp Nou trailing fierce rivals Barcelona by six points in LaLiga, with the hosts looking to maintain their perfect start to the league campaign.
Real’s fortunes, by comparison, has been somewhat less assured, having already lost twice in the league this season. However, they have preserved a 100% record in the Champions League – something Barcelona relinquished on Tuesday after a 4-2 defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
And so with Real hungry to get their domestic season back on track, and Barca licking the wounds of a humbling in Europe, it makes for hugely intriguing clash on what will be Mourinho’s return to this fixture for the first time since 2013.
The Real boss, whose ties with Barcelona run deep having been a coach there 30 years ago under the late Sir Bobby Robson, did not mince his words when asked if Sunday’s game will be something of a litmus test of his side’s LaLiga credentials.
“No,” he said. “Mourinho’s Madrid will win titles.”
The 63-year-old, however, was less matter-of-fact in his assessment of Sunday’s fixture more widely, acknowledging the grandeur of the occasion.
“I think it’s a worldwide spectacle,” he said.
“There are other derbies around the world, but this is unique. Fans who love football stop to watch El Clasico.
“We’ve been playing well, winning matches and scoring goals. But a Clasico is different – the form book goes out the window. In my experience, the momentum you have going into the game does not mean much.”
The subject of referees has generated considerable debate ahead of the game, over the ongoing case pertaining to payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Spanish referees’ committee (CTA).
It prompted Barca player Fermin Lopez to hit out at Mourinho’s continued criticism of officials, describing it as “tiresome”.
Mourinho responded by saying that Lopez “gets tired of our discourse” and insisted the subject of referees is not one that affects him.
“The referee’s name has never bothered me,” the Real boss said.
“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 [Juan Martínez Munuera].
“Whoever it is, I hope it goes well for them.”
Understandably, Mourinho remained tight-lipped on the specifics of his game plan, but hailed Barca head coach Hansi Flick as a “great coach, doing an excellent job”.
However, the Real manager looked to play down the emotions of returning to the Camp Nou, adding: “It’s just like going to any other stadium.
“Obviously, we are talking about a team with a lot of quality. It’s not the same to play against a high-quality team as it is to play against a less strong one, but it’s no big deal.”
Barcelona versus Real Madrid kicks off at 8pm GMT (9pm local time) on Sunday, October 25 at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona: Joan García; Espart, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Cancelo; Rodri, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermín, Gordon; Raphinha
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouaméni, Güler; Brahim, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappé
Spain
| # | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Last 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 9 | 30 | 27 | W W W W W |
| 2 | Atletico Madrid | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 8 | 11 | 22 | W W W W W |
| 3 | Real Madrid | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 21 | W W L W W |
| 4 | Real Betis | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 19 | L W D W W |
| 5 | Real Sociedad | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 16 | W W W L W |
| 6 | Sevilla | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 16 | -2 | 14 | L D L W W |
| 7 | Alaves | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 12 | D L L D L |
| 8 | Celta Vigo | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 11 | W D W D D |
| 9 | Deportivo La Coruna | 9 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 11 | D L D L D |
| 10 | Osasuna | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 18 | -8 | 11 | W L D L L |
| 11 | Levante | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 15 | 17 | -2 | 10 | W D D L L |
| 12 | Villarreal | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 9 | D L W W L |
| 13 | Athletic Club | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 9 | L D D D W |
| 14 | Rayo Vallecano | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 17 | -5 | 9 | D D W L W |
| 15 | Getafe | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 9 | D L W L D |
| 16 | Espanyol | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 8 | L D L L W |
| 17 | Racing Santander | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 25 | -12 | 8 | L D L L W |
| 18 | Elche | 9 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 17 | -6 | 7 | D D W L D |
| 19 | Valencia | 9 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 6 | D D L W L |
| 20 | Malaga | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 19 | -12 | 5 | D L D L L |
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