Jose Mourinho has described Real Madrid as “extraordinary” after his side ended Barcelona’s perfect record with a win at Barcelona in La Liga, singling out Marc Cucurella to face the “toughest game” of the full-back’s career against Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine Yamal.
New signing Cucurella set up winger Yamal and was involved in the first of Kylian Mbappe’s goals in the 2-1 win, fueling Yan Diomande for a cross that was turned against the striker by the rival defender Gerard Martin’s attempt to clear it.
“You can win by luck, defending a lot… but we won comfortably and deservedly,” Mourinho said (via Marc), speaking after ending Barça’s nine-game winning streak to move three points clear of the leaders.
“I have learned that I have an extraordinary group, with quality and mentality to play. It is a complete team, they work hard and are ready to win.”
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Lamine Yamal “smart”
feeling of Spain Yamal He has eight goals and six assists in La Liga this season, but sent a superb chance between Mbappé’s opener and the interval.
After Refinha level in the second half, Yamal had an effort deflected wide and Mbappe grabbed the second to leave the 19-year-old sad-faced once the full-time whistle had sounded for the first classic of the campaign.
“I always say that I only understand how good players are when I see them in front of me,” Mourinho said of the best result of his second spell in charge, having been re-elected before the start of the season.
“On TV, I miss something. Ten meters away, I understand the quality of the players. (from Yamal) very good, very difficult to play.
“Besides being good, he’s smart. He tried everything. It’s the hardest match Cucu has had, against a very good player.”
Real Madrid coach Mourinho praises the referee against Barça
Mourinho warned that victory for Madrid, who are a point behind second-placed Atlético, will be meaningless if they do not prevail at mid-table Racing de Santander on Sunday (15:15 GMT).
“It was a great match,” said the Portuguese. “A high-level match, a match that surely all football lovers stopped to watch, with two teams that played to win.
“I’m more concerned about talking about my own team, but the boys played an extraordinary game, very organized, focused, with the courage to play from behind against opponents who pressed a lot.
“We had chances to make it 2-0… Barcelona reacted strongly in the second half but we remained very calm and organised, and even with the 1-1 we never lost our composure.
“Against some great rivals and with a referee (Juan Martínez Munuera) who I think played a great game… it was a great game, a great victory.”
Real Madrid team vs Barcelona in the classic
Andriy Lunin, who made several impressive saves, replaced Thibaut Courtois in one of five Madrid changes along with the introductions of defenders Ibrahima Konate and Cucurella, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and winger Diomande.
Alvaro Carreras, Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga have moved to the bench. Vinicius Junior was suspended.
Real Madrid: Andriy Lunin, Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande, Kylian Mbappe
Substitutes: Illia Voloshyn, Sergio Mestre, Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, Antonio Rudiger, Denzel Dumfries, Eduardo Camavinga, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick, Carlos Espi, Brahim Diaz
