Mourinho defends Real Madrid's early stage ahead of Clásico

Three months into his tenure, Jose Mourinho insists Real Madrid remain far from a "finished product," dismissing criticisms that compare his squad unfavorably to Barcelona. Ahead of Sunday’s Clásico, the manager defended his team’s developmental status against what he termed "unfair" assessments.

Developmental stage vs established rivals

Mourinho highlighted the disparity between his newly assembled unit and opponents who have operated together for years. He noted that while public perception often treats his side as complete, they are actually at the beginning of their process. The coach emphasized that players are still adapting to his methods, just as he is analyzing the squad to set its direction.

"We have only been working together for three months," Mourinho stated during the pre-match press conference. He argued that judging a team in this nascent phase against one with long-standing cohesion is logically flawed. This perspective counters the lavish praise directed at Barcelona’s attacking strength under Hansi Flick, which has contrasted sharply with the scrutiny facing Real Madrid.

Clásico history and title confidence

Despite Barcelona holding slight favoritism after winning six of the last seven Clásicos, Mourinho refused to view the fixture as a benchmark for past achievements. He described the match as "really special," noting that previous successes hold no weight on the pitch. The rivalry’s history does not dictate the outcome, according to the Portuguese tactician.

Ultimately, Mourinho expressed unwavering certainty in his project’s success. Regardless of the immediate result, he declared: "Real Madrid win titles with Mourinho!" This statement underscores his conviction that the club’s trajectory remains positive, even amid current external criticism and the formidable challenge posed by their Catalan rivals.