Jose Mourinho has dismissed comparisons between Real Madrid and early title pace-setters Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on September 20. Unbeaten champions Barcelona have set a relentless tempo at the summit of La Liga, sweeping six victories from six matches while scoring 28 goals—at least 11 more than any other team in the division. Despite Madrid trailing Hansi Flick’s side by three points after winning five games and losing one, Mourinho refused to panic. He insisted that historically and culturally Real Madrid can’t be compared to anyone, maintaining that the domestic campaign is a long marathon rather than a straight motorway without obstacles.
Madrid’s path through the opening six rounds hasn’t been completely smooth, requiring late drama to keep pace with the leaders. Back-up striker Carlos Espi delivered decisive late strikes to secure crucial victories away at Espanyol and Elche when matches appeared almost lost. Mourinho acknowledged these late struggles directly, noting that while the problem is obvious, understanding the underlying cause remains complex. Still, the manager pointed to those physical and psychological efforts in the closing minutes as clear proof of his group’s collective strength and determination, complementing the baseline quality throughout the squad.
That quality relies heavily on high-profile performers and individual improvement across the board. Mourinho hailed lethal French striker Kylian Mbappe as “not normal” as the forward continues his Ballon d’Or campaign, aiming to help Madrid secure major silverware for the first time since his arrival in 2024. The manager also praised Vinícius Júnior, highlighting that the Brazilian winger is working harder than ever. Following a convincing 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho emphasized the depth at his disposal, declaring that there’s nothing but quality sitting on the Real Madrid bench.
Media scrutiny around Madrid remains intense during the opening months of Mourinho’s tenure, with the manager observing that positive words about the club have become increasingly scarce. He addressed squad issues candidly, including individual errors from player Raul Asencio, warning that while everyone makes mistakes, trouble arises when those errors pile up. Ahead of facing Diego Simeone’s third-placed Atletico side, Mourinho expects full focus. Having won three of his four past encounters against Simeone during his first stint in charge—with Simeone’s lone triumph coming in the 2013 Copa del Rey final—Mourinho warned his players not to let Atletico back into the contest if they take the lead at the Metropolitano.
