Rabat – Real Madrid coach José Mourinho has refused to look ahead to El Clasico, insisting that his squad must focus on their upcoming Champions League match against RB Leipzig after Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Sevilla.
Speaking after the win at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid coach José Mourinho said he would not think about Barcelona until Wednesday night, when Real Madrid’s European fixture is over.
“There is Champions (League) to play first, and it’s the only game we are thinking about,” said the Portuguese coach.
Mourinho added that he had not spent a minute thinking about El Clasico during the match against Sevilla, despite questions about a potential red card for Arda Güler that could have affected the midfielder’s availability for the Barcelona clash.
The Madrid coach’s comments come as his team prepares for a demanding week, with RB Leipzig visiting the Bernabéu on October 21 before the trip to face Barcelona at Camp Nou on October 25.
Sunday’s victory gave a boost to both the squad after their recent Champions League comeback against Roma and to Mourinho after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was reportedly considering Didier Deschamps as a possible successor to the Portuguese coach.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice against Sevilla, including a Panenka penalty, while Arda Güler and Yan Diomande also found the net. Sevilla’s Manu Bueno scored his team’s only goal, putting Madrid six points behind league leaders Barca.
The result also gave Mourinho encouraging signs about his team’s attacking play. Real Madrid controlled possession for long periods and created several chances, producing a more convincing performance ahead of their upcoming European test.
Mourinho also praised Federico Valverde’s versatility after the Uruguayan featured at right-back, describing him as one of the most adaptable players in modern football.
Despite the convincing scoreline and the momentum it has given to the team, Mourinho made clear that Barcelona would have to wait and emphasized that his players should not lose focus by looking too far ahead.
Madrid will first negotiate their Champions League fixture before turning their attention to one of the biggest matches of the Spanish football calendar.
