Barcelona hold the edge as Real Madrid face an early test of Mourinho’s new era

The first Clasico of a campaign cannot determine the course of an entire season, but Sunday’s meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid could offer an early indication of what lies ahead. The teams meet at Camp Nou in the 10th round of La Liga, with Jose Mourinho hoping to avoid a repeat of his first experience of the fixture.

Mourinho’s opening Clasico came on 29 November 2010, when Barcelona inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Real Madrid at Camp Nou. That result proved an early sign of the difficulties the Portuguese manager would face in trying to break Barcelona’s dominance.

Although Mourinho’s Real Madrid were capable of competing with, and at times defeating, Pep Guardiola’s outstanding Barcelona side, the overall balance remained in the Catalan club’s favour. Real Madrid won five, lost six and drew six of the meetings between the teams during Mourinho’s first spell.

Barcelona also finished ahead of their rivals in La Liga in two of Mourinho’s three seasons at Santiago Bernabeu, between 2010 and 2013. The Catalan side further prevailed in the European contest, eliminating Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2010-2011.

Mourinho won three trophies during that first period in charge: the Copa del Rey in 2010-2011, La Liga in 2011-2012 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012.

Sunday’s match may be particularly significant because Real Madrid made a number of high-profile signings during the most recent transfer window. That suggests major changes to the squad next season may be limited, leaving Mourinho likely to rely heavily on the current group during the early part of his second spell.

This will therefore be the revamped squad’s first Clasico test since the summer changes.

Barcelona favourites, but Real Madrid improving

Barcelona remain the stronger team on paper despite their 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid, meanwhile, responded by beating Leipzig 4-1.

Barcelona have shown greater cohesion and consistency through their performances and results this season, making them the more likely winners before kick-off. However, Real Madrid’s recent improvement cannot be overlooked.

The Madrid side have scored only four goals across their past three matches, while conceding three against Roma and one each against Sevilla and Leipzig. Their defensive record should therefore serve as a warning to Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Barcelona must also demonstrate how they respond to the setback against Paris Saint-Germain. The match will test whether they have the character to recover quickly from that European defeat and return to winning form, or whether the result signals the beginning of an inconsistent season unwanted by their supporters.