«Our objective is not to win a match against Barcelona, but to win the championship,» Real Madrid manager José Mourinho said, as he moved to cool mounting excitement following a high-profile victory at the Camp Nou.
Speaking ahead of the fixture against Racing, Mourinho emphasized that the victory in the clásico has a great significance if the team wins again. The manager addressed reporters in a press conference characterized by caution, warning his squad against complacency as they prepare to face fourteenth-placed Racing at El Sardinero stadium. Since beginning his second stint at Real Madrid, Mourinho has transitioned through different phases, moving from a calm, scientific initial approach focused on squad configuration to a more volatile style after early defeats and controversies, and now aims to clear away euphoria and manage different sensibilities within the locker room, observing that faces change with results while the squad has maintained empathy, respect, a willingness to work, and maturity in both victory and defeat.
Racing Threat at El Sardinero
«Es un equipo con un planteamiento muy específico y va a tener la ambición de ganar. Pero a nosotros no nos van a pillar de sorpresa.»
🚨 The last time Real Madrid played against Racing Santander was in February 2012: ✅ Real Madrid 4-0 Racing Santander⚽️ Cristiano Ronaldo⚽️ Angel di Maria ⚽️⚽️ Karim Benzema Real Madrid return to Racing Santander again tomorrow under Jose Mourinho. They have 82%… pic.twitter.com/YnaUoT8rcz
Midfield Adjustments and Vinicius Status
Real Madrid will travel to Santander without Valverde, whom Mourinho confirmed is sidelined with an ongoing physical knock. The player has played a fundamental role in the team’s tactical evolution this season. Dumfries or Trent will occupy the vacancy in the lateral position, both specialists in this role who have been hindered by a choice that the manager justified due to things that are more important for the team at a given moment.
Regarding Vinicius, who remains unavailable for domestic league fixtures due to a suspension, Mourinho clarified the player’s immediate status within the squad. «La situación de Vinicius ahora es facilísima: no juega en Liga, sí en Champions. Quiero que termine rápido la sanción porque lo quiero y necesito,» Mourinho stated, adding that while the player is an essential asset, modern squad rotation makes fixed starting lineups increasingly obsolete, noting that changing two or three players does not disrupt the team because the group is fully unified in its model of play regarding pressing, block positioning, and construction.
Fixture Congestion and Scheduling Criticism
Mourinho also voiced strong frustration regarding Real Madrid’s demanding fixture list, highlighting a situation of playing four matches in a row away, forced by an upcoming National Football League (NFL) event at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
«Sobre el calendario… deberíamos haber jugado ayer y jugamos mañana; deberíamos haber jugado el domingo en Valencia y jugamos el sábado,» Mourinho said, criticizing the compressed turnaround time between fixtures. Es un grandísimo regalo que nos hacen, sea LaLiga o las teles, no lo sé.» When asked if his tactical approach in the clásico marked a change in his view of football, Mourinho conceded only that he is more balanced, noting that he is different because he is not stubborn, remains open to study and conclusions from what he sees, hears, and debates, and stays calm.
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