Real Madrid still a work in progress, says Mourinho ahead of El Clásico

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho views his team as a work in progress ahead of the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona on Sunday. The Portuguese coach emphasized that the players are still adapting to his methods and leadership following a relatively brief period working together. Despite this, Mourinho remains confident in his team's potential to challenge for major trophies, stating unequivocally that "Madrid with Mourinho wins titles."

Mourinho clarified that it was unfair to compare his team's development to that of a side that had been together for two or three years. He explained that they had been working for only a month and a half since the start of their current period of integration, excluding preseason and national team commitments. The manager acknowledged that criticism is part of the process, particularly when results are less favorable.

Regarding the significance of recent results, Mourinho stressed that they would have little impact on the El Clásico, as the game is unique and previous outcomes do not carry much weight. He defended Barcelona, stating that their loss to Paris Saint-Germain would not affect the team's confidence going into the match.

Mourinho addressed the disparity in attention between Barcelona and Real Madrid, insisting that praise for their opponents would not influence his approach. He expressed that speaking positively about Barcelona was beyond his concern and that he would only credit his players for their performance. The manager also highlighted the global appeal of the fixture, emphasizing that it transcends the identities of the coaches involved and is unique in its significance.