There was a time when FC Barcelona entered an El Clasico carrying the greater uncertainty. Questions surrounded the squad, the finances and whether another rebuild could finally produce something sustainable.
That conversation has changed considerably under Hansi Flick and Barca now approach Sunday’s meeting six points clear of Real Madrid and with an established footballing identity. Even after the Champions League setback against PSG, there is little ambiguity about what Flick wants his team to be.
Even as Jose Mourinho’s assessment of the two sides offered perhaps the clearest indication yet of that shift as per [Real Madrid’s official website](https://www.realmadrid.com/en-US/news/football/first-team/press-conference/rueda-de-prensa-de-mourinho-24-10-2026). The Real Madrid coach argued ahead of the Clasico that comparing his developing side with Barcelona is currently unfair, pointing towards the difference in time each project has had to mature. He said:
“**Far from being a finished product, we are a product in progress. We’re in a phase where the coach is getting to know, analyzing, and defining paths. The players are also getting to know their coach, his way of acting and leading. Comparing a team in this state with a team that has been together for two or three years doesn’t seem fair to me.**“
Mourinho has been in charge for only a matter of months and believes Madrid are still at the beginning of understanding his methods. Flick, by contrast, has already had the time to establish his principles in Catalonia. Hopefully that difference shows come Sunday night.
There is an obvious element of expectation management in Mourinho’s words. Real Madrid arrive at Camp Nou having won four consecutive matches, including an emphatic 4-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig, yet their coach is keen to separate recent results from the broader development of his team.
But from Barcelona’s perspective, his argument carries an interesting implication as Flick’s side are now being treated as the established reference point. Barcelona know how they want to press, where they want to recover possession and how quickly they want attacks to develop after winning the ball. Those mechanisms have been developed over time, and Mourinho appears to believe Madrid have not yet reached the same level of tactical familiarity.
That hardly guarantees anything on Sunday as Clasicos have rarely respected form, league positions or carefully constructed narratives. Still, it represents a significant reversal in perception.
Mourinho may be correct that Madrid deserve more time, but Barcelona cannot allow that argument to become an excuse for a passive Clasico. If Barça really are further along in their development, Sunday is precisely the occasion to demonstrate it.
Flick’s advantage should be visible in the quicker pressing triggers, better spacing between the lines and greater confidence when Madrid attempt to break forward. Barcelona cannot simply rely on being the more established project on paper.
Mourinho has effectively handed them an unusual compliment before the game. He has identified Barca as the finished or at least considerably more advanced product against which Madrid are currently being measured. Barcelona’s task now is to make sure the football supports that reputation.