Jose Mourinho, the 63-year-old manager of Real Madrid, expressed his thoughts following his team’s impressive 2-1 victory against Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday night. The win came at Camp Nou, marking a significant achievement for the visitors.
Kylian Mbappe scored both goals for Real Madrid, leading the team to victory. This match also marked Mbappe’s milestone of reaching 100 goals for Los Blancos. The win halted Barcelona’s nine-game winning streak and was Real Madrid’s first victory at Camp Nou since October 2023.
After the match, Mourinho was asked about his jubilant celebration after Mbappe’s second goal, reminiscent of a similar moment 14 years ago during a game against Manchester City. “I have waited my entire life to celebrate like this at Camp Nou, and I am very happy it happened tonight, even though we were denied a penalty and a red card, but we still won,” Mourinho responded.
Mourinho’s Insights Post-Match
When discussing the match, Mourinho noted, “This was my first significant win at Madrid since my return. It was an extraordinary match, a high-level game that the entire football world stopped to watch and was not disappointed. Both teams played to win.” He praised his players for their bravery and composure, particularly in construction against a team known for strong pressing.
Mourinho elaborated, “We had many chances to make it 2-0, and when you miss those opportunities, Barcelona will push hard to equalize, which is exactly what happened. However, even after they equalized, we remained calm and did not lose focus.” He also commented on the officiating, acknowledging the referee’s performance but suggesting that VAR officials missed a clear red card incident involving Joao Cancelo.
Mourinho on Team Dynamics and Player Performance
He remarked on the psychological advantages of points separation in the league, stating, “If you’re nine points ahead, it’s psychologically heavy. Six points is balanced, and three changes the situation. Winning with calmness is crucial, and we earned this victory fully.”
Mourinho praised backup goalkeeper Lunin, pointing out that if the team had lost, the narrative would have focused on his performance as a replacement for the injured Courtois. “Lunin was incredible; he played with great calmness and contributed significantly to the team’s success,” Mourinho said.
“This is a very important victory, both in terms of the result and the style of play. You can win matches by luck, but that was not the case today. We played a top match against a top opponent,” said Mourinho.
Looking forward, he emphasized the strength and unity of the squad, noting their five consecutive wins and the challenges ahead with upcoming matches. He highlighted Valverde’s determination to continue playing despite injury as a testament to the team’s spirit.
