Real Madrid manager José Mourinho asserted that his teams consistently deliver silverware ahead of the season’s first Clásico against Barcelona, pointing to his prior domestic trophy haul at the club to frame expectations for the current campaign.

Mourinho Closes Ranks Against Barcelona Inquiries

Speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the fixture, Mourinho addressed inquiries regarding opposing personnel by emphasizing general respect among elite competitors. When questioned about Barcelona players, including Lamine, and manager Hansi Flick, the Portuguese coach maintained a reserved stance. “All Barça and Madrid players are very good. He is a great player and the greats respect each other,” Mourinho said. Regarding the Barcelona bench, he added, “I don’t understand questions about opponents. He is a great coach, he is doing an optimal job. What do you want me to say?”

Trophy Record and Squad Development Context

Asked whether the upcoming Clásico served as a definitive test for the season, Mourinho pointed to his historical record. “Madrid with Mourinho wins titles,” he stated, recalling his first spell in white, where he secured a La Liga title, a Copa, and a Supercopa across three seasons. That domestic harvest matches the initial-season trophy count Hansi Flick achieved in his debut year at the Camp Nou. Mourinho enters the match following a strong run of form, marked by back-to-back 4-1 victories over Sevilla and Leipzig.

Despite the recent results, Mourinho cautioned that the current squad remains far from a finished product. Drawing a parallel to Xabi Alonso’s assessments from the previous year, Mourinho described a side currently undergoing foundational work. “We are in a phase where the coach is getting to know, analyzing, defining paths, they know the coach… Comparing a team in this state with another that has been there for more years does not seem fair to me,” he said.

Mourinho Views Camp Nou as Any Other Stadium

Addressing the atmosphere surrounding the fixture at the Camp Nou, Mourinho rejected the notion of unusual pre-match adrenaline, describing the stadium as “like any other,” while acknowledging that the match itself remains unique as a spectacle that halts global attention. On the officiating appointment, which remained unconfirmed at the time of his media appearance, the manager expressed brief confidence, stating simply that the referee “is good.”