Mourinho Responds to Barcelona Player, Explains New Beard, and Insists: 'Real Madrid Win Trophies With Me'

Real Madrid are gearing up for the first El Clasico of the season, with Los Blancos boss Jose Mourinho speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow's La Liga trip to face Barcelona at Camp Nou. The Madrid giants head into the clash on the back of an emphatic Champions League win over RB Leipzig, while the Catalans suffered their first defeat of the week, falling 4-2 to PSG.

"We are in good momentum. We are scoring goals and in great form. However, my experience in derbies and major clashes has taught me that whatever happened before counts for nothing," the Portuguese manager began.

Asked whether his side receives enough credit, Mourinho remarked: "I get the feeling it is always like that at Real Madrid. All I want is for my players to receive the praise when things go well, and for the criticism to fall on me when they don't. That is a manager's lot—victories belong to the players, while defeats are pinned on us. We have at least two El Clasicos every year. What is most impressive is the global scale of the fixture. There are other big games, but this one is unique—the world literally stops to watch."

When questioned if tomorrow's clash represents the ultimate test for his side, Mourinho was emphatic: "No, it isn't a test. Real Madrid with Mourinho win trophies."

Addressing the officiating for the derby, the coach insisted he was unfazed by who is appointed to referee the match: "I always operate on the assumption that the referee is good. It is only frustrating when the rules are broken, but according to our internal information, nothing like that is happening right now. A few names have been mentioned, but nobody has officially confirmed an appointment to me. Whoever takes charge, I wish them the best of luck."

Barcelona's recent setback in Paris also does not concern him: "That means nothing to me. Even if we had lost 4-1 instead of beating Leipzig 4-1, my mindset heading into the upcoming match would be exactly the same."

Mourinho also broke down the contrasting public perceptions surrounding Spain's two heavyweights: "The people who believed a week ago that Barca could blow us away still think that way. I don't believe that will change. The praise directed at our rivals doesn't affect me. Honestly, in certain matches, they thoroughly deserve high marks because they play very well. With us, the situation is different—we are viewed as a finished product, but in football, that takes time.

"We have only been working together for three months, and once you exclude pre-season and the international breaks, the actual working time is barely a month and a half. We are in the early stages, where I am getting to know the players, analysing, and finding the right path, while they are still adapting to me. It isn't fair to compare us to a team built over years."

The Portuguese tactician was also full of praise for Barca's teenage star Lamine Yamal: "All of their players are top quality, just like at Real Madrid. I don't see anyone in their squad who isn't top class. Yamal is a tremendous player. However, respecting your opponent is one thing, and altering your plans or abandoning your identity is another. We won't be doing that for him or any other quality opponent."

On Hansi Flick, Mourinho kept it brief: "I don't know why you ask me about other managers. He is a fantastic coach and doing an excellent job. I have nothing more to add." A return to Camp Nou does not faze him either: "Visiting here is like visiting any other stadium; you are simply facing an opponent of immense quality. It's always different when you face a team that strong."

Mourinho confirmed he has already settled on his starting lineup for the blockbuster clash. Responding to comments from Barca's Fermin Lopez, who suggested that the constant complaints about referees are exhausting, the Portuguese gave a cryptic reply: "That may be so, but what exhausts us are completely different things that keep happening."

In lighter mood, Mourinho dismissed suggestions that his new beard is tied to a winning run or superstition: "I'm not superstitious at all. Do I look that bad with a beard? Should I shave it off? I am one of the few people in football with zero superstitions."

Finally, he refused to give away any tactical secrets: "There is no way I'm answering questions about our setup or specific personnel. You are smart, but I'm no fool either," Mourinho concluded with a smile.