Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images
Real Madrid’s hopes of keeping pace with league leaders Barcelona suffered a massive blow when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby.
Although the game made headlines for controversial refereeing calls, the overall performance from Real Madrid made it evident that the team is not yet ready to compete with Barcelona.
Real Madrid’s problems have been further compounded by the confirmation of Federico Valverde’s injury, with the midfielder set to miss two weeks of action.
Mourinho retains faith in the lineup
Despite the derby defeat, however, Mourinho has retained full faith on the current lineup, as reported by MARCA.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach
Mourinho has many problems to navigate. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Indeed, the Real Madrid coach keeps his confidence in the squad fully intact, believing the team has the quality to ultimately fight for every trophy on offer.
It appears Mourinho’s observations in day-to-day training at Valdebebas has been promising. He and his staff believe the team is still under construction and take for granted an evolution in the team’s performances in the coming matches.
The six-point gap is significant, particularly with Barcelona offering an image of enormous reliability, but Mourinho and his team are adamant the squad has the resources to turn things around.
Decisions to ponder over the break
The international break offers Mourinho time to reflect, even if he will be unable to work collectively with his squad for the next two and a half weeks.
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Can Mourinho turn things around? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
His chief immediate concern is that his internationals return healthy to Valdebebas ahead of Real Madrid’s next fixture against Villarreal on October 10.
Tactically, the midfield is the main area under review, with the Valverde-Tchouameni pairing lacking creativity in the build-up.
That could increase the case for Bernardo Silva as an option in many matches, particularly against defensive sides.
Mourinho’s broader philosophy, however, is that there is no fixed eleven or untouchable starters, as he believes his squad offers different profiles suited to different types of games.
Luis Figo talks Mourinho, Mbappe, Ballon d’Or, La Liga title race: ‘Real Madrid will fight until very end’
Luis Figo, Real Madrid Legend
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images for Duracell
Real Madrid have not had the best of starts to the season. Heading into the international break, they are sitting six points behind rivals Barcelona in LaLiga after a 2-1 defeat in the Madrid derby.
The result has raised fresh doubts over Jose Mourinho’s side, who have already lost twice this season.
However, Real Madrid legend Luis Figo remains confident that Los Blancos will be in the title race come the business end of the campaign.
Figo backs Real Madrid
Speaking to Radio MARCA (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Figo insisted the club would not give up despite their deficit.
“Surely Madrid will fight until the very end. This is a competition that has to be regular until May.
Luis Figo, Real Madrid legend
Figo believes Real Madrid can recover. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
“There will be highs and lows during the season. When there are lows you have to have the maturity and also the quality to overcome them and move on,” he said.
Currently serving as an advisor to UEFA, but a man with strong ties with Real Madrid, Figo also addressed Mourinho’s criticism of the referees following the derby.
“He has done what he has thought to do at the time. I don’t have to comment. I think they are personal performances and if he has done it it is because he has felt it that way,” said Figo, who admitted he had not watched the derby as he was in Zurich.
Praise for Barcelona and Mbappe
Figo also offered his thoughts on Barcelona, acknowledging the flying start made by Hansi Flick’s men.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
Figo has heaped praise on Mbappe. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“They have started very strong. They’re winning, playing well, scoring goals,” he said, before adding that the season remains long. “You have to see how the season goes, which is very long. For Spanish football, logically, it is good.”
The former winger reserved special praise for Kylian Mbappe, who has been in prolific form for Real Madrid this season.
“He is always at a very high level. He’s one of the best in the world, to score goals,” Figo said.
On the Ballon d’Or, whose voting closes on Monday, he remained diplomatic. “Who has the power to decide is the one who votes. You have to wait to see what happens. I don’t vote, so I don’t have that problem in my head,” he concluded.