It is time for the biggest fixture in the La Liga calendar as Real Madrid lock horns with bitter rivals FC Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the 2026/27 season on Sunday night at the Spotify Camp Nou.
It is a must-win game for Jose Mourinho & co., considering that they are already six points behind the Catalan club just nine games into the season. Another slip-up on Sunday could put Real Madrid at a major disadvantage in the La Liga title race.
The Spanish capital giants go into the contest on the back of a win over RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League, whereas Barcelona suffered their first loss of the season this week against PSG.
However, speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Mourinho made it clear that the defeat is unlikely to affect Hansi Flick’s side as they gear up for the Clasico.
Mourinho: ‘The Clasico is unique, the world stops’
Asked how he viewed Real Madrid’s form ahead of the match, Mourinho said: “We’re in a good run of form, we’re playing well, we’re scoring goals… but the Clasico doesn’t matter what you’ve done before, it has no influence. It’s truly different.”
On returning to the Spotify Camp Nou for the Clasico and whether he and Real Madrid have received enough credit after their win over Sevilla, he added:
“The feeling is that Real Madrid is like that… But I’m not looking for more. I give credit to my players when they do well and criticize the coach when he doesn’t. It’s the story of practically every coach in the world. It’s our life.”
“Returning to the Clasico? There are at least two per season. It doesn’t matter who the coach is; what’s important is the global significance of the Clasico. There are other important matches in the world, but this is the only Clasico; the world stops.”
Asked whether the fixture would be a test of Real Madrid’s ability to win trophies this season, Mourinho delivered a characteristically confident response:
“No, Real Madrid with Mourinho wins titles.”
Ready for El Clasico. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Mourinho responds to refereeing controversy
Mourinho doubled down on his criticism of the identity of the referees for the games being leaked well ahead of matches, saying:
“It catches me a little by surprise… The referee’s name never bothers me. I start from the principle that the referee is good. What bothers me is when the rules are broken and, according to internal information, the situation is still not clear.
“Three weeks ago, one name came out, now another, but nobody internally has told me, ‘The referee is not this one.'”
The Real Madrid coach also commented on Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez’s criticism of the ongoing discussion around refereeing, saying:
“What can I say? Other things tire us, and they keep happening…”
Mourinho on whether Barcelona are praised excessively
The Real Madrid manager was also asked whether Barcelona’s 4-2 defeat to PSG in midweek offered him any tactical lessons. In response, he said:
“I do not think that losing one match changes their state of mind or confidence. It would not have changed mine either if we had lost 1-4 against Leipzig.”
Asked whether Barcelona receive too much praise while Real Madrid face excessive criticism, Mourinho defended the different circumstances surrounding the two teams.
“If people thought a week ago that they were going to thrash us, they will continue thinking that. The fact that Barcelona are being spoken about positively does not affect me; it has nothing to do with me,” he said.
“To be honest, there are moments when they deserve praise because they do very good things.”
Continuing, he added: “In our case… we are looked at as a finished product, and that is very difficult in football. But we are not at an advanced stage of that process.
“We have been working for three months, with a pre-season in which the players were arriving a couple at a time every week, the international break… We are a long way from being a finished product.
“This is the beginning. We are at a stage where the coach is getting to know the players, analysing them and defining paths, while they are getting to know the coach.
“Comparing a team at this stage with another that has been together for more years does not seem fair to me.”
Mourinho praises Lamine Yamal and Hansi Flick but refuses to change his plans
Lamine Yamal will be a big threat for Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Mourinho was asked about Lamine Yamal and whether Real Madrid would have a specific plan to stop the Barcelona winger.
“They are all good players, just as it is the case at Madrid. He is a great player, and great players deserve respect,” he said.
“But respecting someone is one thing, while changing your plans and structures and forgetting your own identity is another. We will not do that, either against him or against another player with his exceptional quality.”
Asked for his opinion of Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, Mourinho responded: “I do not understand questions about opponents. He is a great coach and is doing an excellent job. What do you want me to say?”
The Portuguese was also asked whether playing at Spotify Camp Nou would bring additional adrenaline.
“It is the same as going to any other stadium. We are talking about a team of great quality. But nothing happens.”
On being asked about his tactical plan for the Clasico, Mourinho refused to give anything away, saying:
“I’m not going to answer that… better ask another question. As for plans, who’s going to play, the structure… I’m not going to answer.”
After being pressed further on the matter and whether Real Madrid would look to attack more to exploit Barcelona’s defence, the manager cheekily replied: “You’re smart, but I’m not stupid! (laughs).”
Source: AS