Real Madrid to Hamburg: the clubs behind the Ballon d'Or

Jose Mourinho returns to face his old club Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday, aiming to narrow the gap between Real Madrid and the Catalan giants in La Liga. Barcelona have dominated the season so far, winning all nine matches and scoring 39 goals, including a 5-2 victory over Real Betis last weekend. Real Madrid, on the other hand, beat Sevilla 4-1 at home, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice, bringing them within a point of second-place Atletico Madrid, but still seven goals behind Barcelona.

Mourinho, who will manage Real Madrid for the first time in El Clasico since his return to the club this summer, will be without suspended striker Vinicius Junior. The Portuguese expects his team to face a tough challenge, stating, "The people who thought a week ago that Barca could thrash us still think the same now. I don't think that view will change."

Despite Barcelona's impressive start to the season, Mourinho remains confident in his team's abilities, emphasizing that Real Madrid is still in the early stages of their preparations.

Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, praised his team's performance in their recent Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain, acknowledging both their strengths and areas for improvement. Flick expressed respect for Mourinho, acknowledging his extensive managerial experience and successful career. He acknowledged the quality of Real Madrid's players, particularly in the final third, and stressed the importance of maintaining good defensive organization and compactness, especially when playing with a high defensive line.

Barcelona's attacking talent, including Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Anthony Gordon, has been widely recognized, but midfielder Rodri's recent arrival from Manchester City has provided a solid foundation for the forwards to build upon. Flick expressed satisfaction with Rodri's impact on the team, highlighting his contributions alongside Pedri, a key player for Barcelona.