Mourinho and Flick shape a Clásico defined by absences

FC Barcelona

The Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid arrives surrounded by maximum expectation, with several spotlights still on in the hours leading up to kick-off. José Mourinho and Hansi Flick analysed the match in their respective press conferences, although neither wanted to reveal their tactical plans.

Mourinho said that the Madrid side are in a good run of form, but warned that what was done in previous games will not matter once the match begins. “In a good run of form, we play well, we score goals... but the Clásico is not worth what you did before, it has no influence. It is really different,” he explained.

The Portuguese coach avoided confirming the team structure and also did not want to preview how he will try to stop Lamine Yamal. He did highlight the talent of the Barcelona player, whom he believes must be respected without changing the essence of Madrid. Asked whether the match could be used to gauge title chances, he was blunt: “No, with Mourinho, Real Madrid win titles.”

Flick calls for improvement after Paris

Flick focused his appearance on his team's performance and the need to correct mistakes after the defeat against PSG. The Barcelona coach said that the game against Real Madrid is an opportunity to keep growing and added that his players have recovered well.

“There are aspects of the game that we have to improve, we have to grow. Tomorrow we play against one of the best teams in the world and it is an opportunity to grow,” the German coach said. He also indicated that the team must defend better set-piece situations, one of the white side's strong points.

Barcelona will not be able to call on Jules Koundé, ruled out out of caution, while Dani Olmo will miss many matches after not having any luck during this stretch of the season. Flick explained that they do not want to take risks with the French defender and mentioned Fermín as an alternative in midfield.

Vinicius, a miss and one of the main talking points

Real Madrid will head into the match without Vinicius Jr, suspended for four games for grabbing Saliba by the hair, a player at Villarreal. The Brazilian will serve his second match of punishment against Barcelona, after not featuring in the clash against Sevilla.

Thibaut Courtois, the star of the Madrid poster after his performance against RB Leipzig, said that winning on Barcelona's turf would send a strong message. “This is an intense rivalry. In recent years, they have hurt us in some matches; now it's our turn to respond,” he said.

The goalkeeper also criticised Barcelona for not recognising the merits of the Madrid players, while Joan García urged avoiding any definitive reading of the table: “It would be a mistake to think that if we win we settle the League; titles are not won in October.”

Pau Cubarsí acknowledged that the defeat in Paris has slightly dampened spirits, although he defended the team's good run of form and the confidence to face the match at home. Gavi, meanwhile, said that Barcelona will go “for it from the start” with the aim of taking all three points.

Refereeing also took up much of the build-up. Martínez Munuera was named as the referee chosen to lead the Clásico, while Real Madrid Televisión once again shared a video with complaints about refereeing decisions in the meetings between the two teams. LaLiga, through Javier Tebas, defended that its goal is to achieve a financially healthy and sporting-competitive competition, although he admitted that Barcelona appears set to dominate this year.

Mourinho will thus return to the Clásico more than a decade later, and Flick will face his first major test after Barcelona's European stumble, in a match that will once again capture the attention of world football.