José Mourinho has rejected comparisons between his Real Madrid team and high-scoring Barcelona, saying the LaLiga season is “a marathon” ahead of Sunday’s Madrid Derby.
Title rivals Barcelona have scored 28 goals in six league games — including Wednesday’s 7-2 thrashing of Racing Santander — and are three points clear of Real, as Mourinho’s side prepare to visit Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Madrid have lost just once, 1-0 at Real Betis, but have twice needed dramatic late goals to secure three points, most recently with Carlos Espí’s 91st minute winner away at Elche this week.
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“Historically, culturally, Real Madrid can’t be compared to anyone,” Mourinho said, when asked if he was worried by Barça’s displays so far.
“So I won’t compare us to any team. I’ll speak about us, our problems, and the things we have to improve. In the few months I’ve been here, I understand that it’s more difficult all the time to hear something positive about Real Madrid.
“We’re aware of the problems we have, but we’re also very aware of the power we have, individually and collectively, of the very good things we have in our team. In the three games where we’ve got to the final minutes needing to score, we finished with an effort — physical and psychological — and determination.
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“Apart from quality, this team has strength as a group. It’s a marathon. The league isn’t always a straight motorway, without obstacles. But we’ll be there.”
Mourinho acknowledged that his team have struggled to perform over 90 minutes so far this season, such as in the Elche game, where they led 2-0 only to concede twice late on, forcing a frantic push for a winner.
“This is a process,” Mourinho said. “If coaches train for two, three, four, five, or ten years, and they talk about a process and evolution, imagine when we’ve been together for just a few months.”
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Mourinho praised his opposite number Simeone, who has been in charge at Atletico ever since Mourinho’s first spell at the Bernabéu.
“You say so many silly things in your career,” Mourinho said, when asked about past comments on Simeone. “Sometimes you’re affected by the moment and sometimes it’s strategic. But in the end, you respect, or you don’t … We’re rivals again, but we’re war comrades.”
