{
  "id": 16314400,
  "title": "Unfair to compare us to Barca, says Real Madrid’s Mourinho",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/unfair-to-compare-us-to-barca-says-real-madrids-mourinho",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T09:57:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/24/unfair-to-compare-us-to-barca-real-madrid-s-mourinho"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho dismissed comparisons between his team and Spanish champions Barcelona ahead of their upcoming La Liga Clasico clash. Mourinho's side, managed by Hansi Flick, have won the last two La Liga titles and are currently unbeaten in the top flight, whereas Mourinho arrived at Madrid this summer following a two-season trophy-less period for the club. The situation has altered slightly, with Barcelona suffering their first defeat of the season to Paris Saint-Germain while Madrid have won their last four matches. Currently, Madrid sit third in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona before their Sunday showdown at Camp Nou.\n\nMourinho expressed that he believes the assumption that Barcelona would easily dismiss them will remain unchanged, particularly after their recent Paris Saint-Germain loss and Madrid's 4-1 victory over Leipzig. He emphasized that his team has only been together for a few months, in contrast to Flick who has been at the helm of Barcelona since 2024. Mourinho highlighted that they are only in the initial phase of development, with the coach learning and defining strategies while the players adapt to the new environment. He firmly stated that comparing their current state to more established sides is unfair.\n\nRegardless of their recent form, Mourinho insisted that the Clasico is a unique occasion where past performances do not influence the outcome. He emphasized that the match will be a great game that the football world will be watching, hoping for a fantastic encounter and a Madrid victory. Mourinho reiterated that he would not alter his plans to counter Barcelona's formidable winger Lamine Yamal, stressing that he would not change strategies, structures, or abandon his team's unique identity to accommodate the talents of any player.",
  "summary": "Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says he has been at the helm for only a few months, compared with Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, who arrived at the club in 2024.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will not travel to Barcelona for El Clasico",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/real-madrid-president-florentino-perez-will-not-travel-to-barcelona",
        "published": "2026-10-22T07:40:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Olive Press",
        "title": "Argentina president Javier Milei brands Sanchez a ‘disgraceful dictator’ during Madrid visit as he rallies Spain’s right ahead of election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/argentina-president-javier-milei-brands-sanchez-a-disgraceful",
        "published": "2026-10-22T09:18:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "El Clásico: 'They'll punish them' - Rafael van der Vaart predicts Barcelona vs Real Madrid clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/el-clasico-theyll-punish-them-rafael-van-der-vaart-predicts-barcelona",
        "published": "2026-10-24T08:23:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Unfair to compare us to Barca: Real Madrid's Mourinho",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/unfair-to-compare-us-to-barca-real-madrids-mourinho",
        "published": "2026-10-24T09:03:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Real Madrid still a work in progress, says Mourinho ahead of El Clásico",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/real-madrid-still-a-work-in-progress-says-mourinho-ahead-of-el-clasico",
        "published": "2026-10-24T10:22:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Mourinho plays down Real Madrid comparisons with Barcelona before Clasico",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/mourinho-plays-down-real-madrid-comparisons-with-barcelona-before",
        "published": "2026-10-24T12:45:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}