{
  "id": 16333578,
  "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-16333578",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T13:42:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/world-soccer/unfair-compate-barca-real-madrid-mourinho/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho has dismissed comparisons to Barcelona ahead of their upcoming La Liga Clasico match at Camp Nou. The Spanish champions, who have won back-to-back titles, currently lead the league, while Mourinho inherited a Madrid side that had gone two seasons without a major trophy. However, Madrid have won their last four games, while Barcelona suffered their first loss of the season to Paris Saint-Germain. Mourinho believes the perception that Barcelona would easily defeat Madrid is misguided, as his team is still in the early stages of development under his leadership. \"We have been working for three months, out of which we have been together for two months,\" Mourinho stated. He emphasized that comparing a team in this initial phase to an established side like Barcelona is unfair. Mourinho also highlighted that the outcome of a Clasico match does not depend on previous performances, as it is a unique event that captures the world's attention. He affirmed his team's readiness to face Barcelona, stating that they will not alter their plans to counter Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, despite his impressive form. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, while acknowledging his opponent's success, praised Mourinho's reputation and acknowledged the challenge of facing one of the best teams in the world.",
  "summary": "'This is the start of a product, we're in an initial phase,' said the Real Madrid head coach.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "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": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-10-24T09:57:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Ballon d’Or 2026: Can Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid and France record win it?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/ballon-dor-2026-can-kylian-mbappes-real-madrid-and-france-record-win",
        "published": "2026-10-24T14:21:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}