Rabat – Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has expressed frustration over his team’s shorter recovery time compared to Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico, despite securing a convincing 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig.
Speaking after Wednesday’s victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, Mourinho pointed to the scheduling difference between the two Spanish rivals.
Barcelona played their Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, giving Hansi Flick’s side an additional day to recover before the highly anticipated LaLiga encounter at Camp Nou.
“For El Clasico, confidence doesn’t exist. It’s another league match, but it’s not like the others,” Mourinho told Movistar+.
“We are losing 24 hours of rest, but we are moving forward,” he added.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged the importance of Sunday’s meeting but insisted that his players would continue preparing despite the scheduling disadvantage.
Mourinho concerned about Real Madrid’s defending
Although Madrid secured their third consecutive Champions League victory, Mourinho admitted that his team remains some distance from reaching the level he expects.
“No, nothing is where I want it to be. I always want to improve,” he said.
The coach was particularly disappointed with the goal conceded against Leipzig, arguing that his players had become too comfortable after establishing a commanding lead.
Mourinho credited goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with two important saves that helped Madrid stay in control of the match.
He compared the situation to Madrid’s 4-1 win over Sevilla, suggesting both goals conceded came from lapses in concentration.
The Portuguese manager maintained that defensive discipline remains an area requiring improvement, particularly ahead of a meeting with Barcelona’s attacking players.
Real Madrid prepare for Barcelona
Mourinho also addressed his decision to replace Vinicius Junior with Yan Diomande against Leipzig, explaining that the substitution was intended to introduce fresh pace rather than rest the Brazilian for El Clasico.
He defended Vinicius’ performance and expressed satisfaction with his defensive contribution.
Real Madrid enter Sunday’s match with momentum from three consecutive Champions League victories, having defeated Inter Milan, Roma and Leipzig.
However, Barcelona currently lead LaLiga with a perfect record of nine wins from nine matches, sitting six points ahead of Mourinho’s side.
The encounter will offer Madrid an opportunity to reduce that gap, although Mourinho has made clear that his team must improve its defending to compete with its biggest domestic rival.
