Mourinho: Real Madrid Still A Work In Progress Ahead Of El Clásico
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has described his team as a work in progress ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster El Clásico against Barcelona, insisting that his players are still adapting to his methods and leadership.
The Portuguese tactician expressed confidence in his side’s ability to win major trophies, declaring that Madrid’s winning mentality remains intact despite the team’s ongoing development.
“No. Madrid with Mourinho wins titles,” he said when asked whether the encounter would determine his credentials as a title-winning manager.
Mourinho explained that his team had spent only a limited period working together, making comparisons with more established sides unfair.
“We’ve been working for three months. If you take away the preseason and the nearly three weeks they spent with their national teams, we’ve been working for a month and a half or two months,” he said.
He added that both he and his players were still learning about each other, with the team yet to reach its full potential.
“We are a product in progress. We’re in a phase where the coach is getting to know, analysing and defining paths. The players are also getting to know their coach, his way of acting and leading,” Mourinho stated.
Despite Real Madrid’s recent victories and Barcelona’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Mourinho warned that previous results would count for little when the rivals meet at Camp Nou.
“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 boss also dismissed suggestions that Barcelona’s recent setback would undermine their confidence, insisting that neither team’s immediate form would significantly alter his approach to the encounter.
On Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, Mourinho acknowledged the forward’s quality but insisted that Real Madrid would not abandon their tactical identity to contain an individual opponent.
“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,” he said.
Mourinho declined to reveal his tactical plans or team selection, maintaining that he would keep his preparations private.
He also praised Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, describing him as a great coach who was doing an excellent job.
Reflecting on the intense scrutiny surrounding elite football managers, Mourinho said he would continue to give his players credit when they performed well while accepting responsibility when results went against his team.
“Players win matches, and coaches lose them; that’s a bit of our life,” he said.
The Portuguese manager described El Clásico as a fixture with a unique global appeal, regardless of the coaches in charge, and expressed hope that Sunday’s encounter would deliver an entertaining spectacle.
Real Madrid host Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday in the 10th round of La Liga, with Mourinho seeking a statement victory in one of football’s most fiercely contested rivalries.
