Mourinho returns for El Clásico, downplays comparisons with Barcelona

José Mourinho will lead Real Madrid into El Clásico on Sunday for the first time in 13 years, facing a Barcelona side that has won all nine of its league matches this season. In the pre-match press conference, Mourinho insisted his team is still a work in progress and rejected the idea that the match is a decisive test for his project.

Pre-match rhetoric

Mourinho argued it is unfair to compare his squad with Barcelona's, which has had two years under Hansi Flick. "Se nos mira como un producto acabado y los productos acabados en el fútbol son muy difíciles, porque nunca están acabados," he said Source: El Colombiano. He noted that, discounting pre-season and international breaks, the team has worked together for only about six weeks Source: El Nacional (VE).

When asked about Barcelona midfielder Fermín López's comment that Real Madrid's complaints about referees are tiresome, Mourinho replied: "A nosotros nos cansan otras cosas que siguen pasando" Source: lavanguardia. He also addressed reports that referee Juan Martínez Munuera had hired the son of former refereeing chief Negreira for coaching services, saying: "Nunca me molesta el nombre del árbitro. Parto siempre del principio de que el árbitro es bueno" Source: elespanol.

Historical context

Mourinho's first stint at Real Madrid (2010–2013) was marked by intense clashes with Barcelona. Excélsior recalls incidents including a finger-in-the-eye poke at assistant coach Tito Vilanova and accusations of referee favoritism Source: Excélsior. Referees who worked those matches recall Mourinho as confrontational but direct. "Mourinho siempre iba de cara y eso me gustaba, pero Guardiola era más sibilino," said former referee Iturralde González Source: ABC.

What's next

Real Madrid sits third in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barcelona. Mourinho downplayed the importance of the result: "No es la prueba del algodón. El Madrid con Mourinho gana títulos" Source: abces.