Jose Mourinho insists his Real Madrid team will win titles as he prepares for El Clasico return

Jose Mourinho has insisted his Real Madrid The team will “win titles” as it prepares for the first Clasico of the season on Sunday.

The Whites travel to Camp Nou behind fierce rivals Barcelona by six points LaLigawith the hosts looking to maintain their perfect start to the league campaign.

Real’s fortunes, by comparison, have been a little less assured, having already lost twice in the league this season. However, they have been preserved a 100% record in the Champions League – something that Barcelona gave up on Tuesday defeat by 4-2 against the holder of Paris Saint-Germain.

And so, with Real hungry to get their domestic season back on track and Barca licking their wounds from a humiliation in Europe, it makes for a very intriguing clash in what will be Mourinho’s return to this game for the first time since 2013.

The Real manager, whose ties to Barcelona run deep having coached there 30 years ago under the late Sir Bobby Robson, did not mince words when asked if Sunday’s game will be a litmus test of his side’s LaLiga credentials.

“No,” he said. “Mourinho’s Madrid will win titles”.

The 63-year-old, however, was less matter-of-fact in his broader assessment of Sunday’s game, acknowledging the grandeur of the occasion.

“I think it’s a world show,” he said.

“There are other derbies around the world, but this is unique. Football-loving fans stop by to watch the Clásico.

“We’ve been playing well, winning games and scoring goals. But a Clásico is different – the form book goes out the window. In my experience, the drive you have going into the game doesn’t mean much.”

READ MORE: Barcelona vs Real Madrid Combined XI: Which club has the strongest squad?

Mourinho insists referee debate ‘never bothered me’

The issue of the referees has generated considerable debate before the match, on the ongoing case corresponding to payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the CTA.

It prompted Barca player Fermín López to hit back at Mourinho’s continued criticism of officials, calling it “tiring”.

Mourinho responded by saying that Lopez “gets tired of our speech” and insisted that the refereeing issue is none of his business.

“The referee’s name has never bothered me,” said the Real coach.

“I always start from the principle that the referee is good. It never bothers me whether the referee is A, B or C. What bothers me a little is that rules are broken that, according to internal information, have not been broken yet.”

“Three weeks ago the name of a referee came out, this week it’s another one (Juan Martínez Munuera).

“Whoever it is, I hope they’re doing well.”

‘It’s not a big deal’

Mourinho was understandably tight-lipped about the details of his game plan, but praised Barca manager Hansi Flick as a “great coach, doing an excellent job”.

However, the Real coach wanted to minimize the emotions of returning to the Camp Nou, and added: “It’s like going to any other stadium.

“Obviously, we’re talking about a team with a lot of quality. It’s not the same to play against a high-quality team as it is to play against a less strong one, but it’s not a big deal.”

Where to watch Barcelona-Real Madrid: TV and online broadcasts

Barcelona versus Real Madrid will start at 20:00 GMT (21:00 local time) on Sunday 25 October at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Planned lineups for Barcelona-Real Madrid

Barcelona: Joan García; Spartan, Cubarsí, Gerard Martin, Cancelo; Rodri, Peter; Lamine Yamal, Fermín, Gordon; Refinha

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Konaté, Huijsen, Cucurella; Tchouaméni, Guler; Brahim, Bellingham, Diomande; Mbappé

Form and recent statistics of Barcelona-Real Madrid

• Barcelona have won all nine La Liga games this season, with 39 goals and nine conceded. It is the best start after nine games by any team in La Liga since 1997/98.
• Barcelona have won 23 consecutive La Liga home games since September 2025 and won all 19 home games last season.
• Barcelona have scored in 35 consecutive La Liga games at home and in 11 consecutive games in total.
• Real Madrid have conceded in four consecutive games away from home.

League table