José Mourinho has refused to reveal Real Madrid’s tactical plans for Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona, insisting that the Catalan side’s recent defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will not undermine their confidence ahead of the eagerly anticipated showdown.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, the Real Madrid manager dismissed suggestions that Barcelona’s midweek loss would significantly affect their mentality, drawing a comparison with his own team’s Champions League victory over RB Leipzig.
“I don’t believe that losing one match will change their state of mind or their confidence. It wouldn’t have changed mine either, had we lost 1–4 to Leipzig,” Mourinho said.
Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season against Paris Saint-Germain, while Real Madrid entered the Clásico after recording a 4–1 victory over Leipzig in the Champions League.
Mourinho, however, insisted that previous results carry little weight in a fixture of such magnitude, stressing that El Clásico presents a different challenge from ordinary league matches.
The Portuguese tactician was equally guarded when journalists attempted to discover how he intended to approach the encounter, refusing to disclose his starting selection, tactical structure or overall game plan.
“I’m not going to answer that. Ask another question,” he said when asked about his approach to the match.
When a journalist suggested that Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities could encourage Madrid to adopt a more attacking strategy, Mourinho responded with a characteristic touch of humour.
“You’re clever, but I’m no fool!” he replied, laughing.
The exchange underlined Mourinho’s determination to keep his tactical thinking private as he prepares Madrid for one of the most closely watched fixtures in world football.
The manager also maintained that Real Madrid should not abandon their identity simply to contain Barcelona’s dangerous players, including Lamine Yamal. He stressed that respecting quality opposition did not mean changing the team’s fundamental approach.
Sunday’s meeting at Barcelona’s Camp Nou offers both sides an opportunity to strengthen their position in the La Liga title race. With Mourinho insisting that neither recent form nor the opposition’s personnel will dictate his philosophy, attention will now turn to how his plans translate onto the pitch.