Mourinho highlights Madrid’s tight turnaround before Barcelona clash

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the limited recovery time available to his side before Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona, raising doubts over whether the fixture schedule gives both teams an equal preparation period.

Mourinho was speaking after Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Leipzig on Wednesday in the third round of the league phase of the Champions League. The result maintained the Spanish club’s perfect record in the competition.

Real Madrid enter the meeting with Barcelona in strong form after winning three successive matches against Roma, Sevilla and Leipzig during a seven-day period. They scored four goals in each of those victories.

However, Real Madrid are third in La Liga on 21 points, six behind leaders Barcelona. Victory at Camp Nou would reduce the gap to three points.

“We lose 24 hours of rest, but we will play the El Clasico,” Mourinho told reporters, in comments carried by AS.

Barcelona played Paris Saint-Germain in Paris on Tuesday, while Real Madrid’s European fixture took place at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. The two sides will then meet at Camp Nou on Sunday.

Asked whether Real Madrid would take confidence into the match, Mourinho said El Clasico could not be treated like an ordinary league fixture.

“In the El Clasico, confidence is not the issue. It is another league match, but it is not like the others,” he said.

Mourinho praises Bernardo Silva and Courtois

Bernardo Silva made his first start for some time and earned praise from Mourinho, who said the midfielder had been selected on merit.

“Bernardo had not started a match for a long time, but he also deserved to play according to the principle of merit. He had a great game,” Mourinho said.

The manager was pleased with Real Madrid’s first-half performance, although he felt the tempo was below the level he wanted. His main disappointment was the goal conceded by Thibaut Courtois, despite the goalkeeper making two important saves.

“Courtois did not deserve to concede that goal. After the two saves he made, he did not deserve for his team-mates to spoil his night,” said Mourinho.

He also discussed the roles of Arda Guler and Federico Valverde, admitting that his 105 days with the squad had not been enough to understand all of his players’ qualities fully.

“I still need to get to know them, and the best way to do that is through matches and competitions. They played well, and the right side worked excellently again. We have good solutions,” he said.

Real Madrid’s third Champions League win gives them nine points, but Mourinho said they remain some way short of the 20-point target he had identified for direct qualification. He warned that the next stage would be difficult, with Olympiacos in Athens followed only two days later by a trip to Valencia.

Vinicius substitution explained

Mourinho said Vinicius Junior was substituted in the 70th minute for Diomande because of the options available on the bench, rather than concern about Sunday’s match.

“It was not about thinking of the El Clasico, but about what I had on the bench. I knew we had a player with great speed, and when he comes on fresh in the final minutes, he becomes difficult to stop,” he said.

Mourinho defended Vinicius’ display, saying he followed his tactical instructions, helped close spaces and came close to scoring a superb goal.

“Only Vinicius can explain whether he feels sad, but his manager is happy with what he did,” Mourinho added.

Vinicius will miss the El Clasico through suspension.