Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has expressed concerns about his team's inability to control matches ahead of Sunday's La Liga derby clash against Atletico Madrid. Mourinho acknowledged that his team has shown attacking dynamism, but struggles to shut the door on opponents. This has been evident in their recent wins, where they needed late strikes to secure victories.
Real Madrid currently trails unbeaten champions Barcelona at the top of the table by three points, having lost one of their six opening games and winning the other five. Their recent wins against Espanyol and Elche were secured with late strikes by back-up striker Carlos Espi. Mourinho attributed their lack of control to their inability to finish matches, citing instances where they had multiple chances to seal wins but failed to do so.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone will aim to punish Madrid if they take their eye off the ball in the derby. Mourinho emphasized that his team's defensive issues are a concern not just for Sunday's match but for every match. He stressed the importance of controlling matches, stating that it's not just about scoring goals but also about not gifting control to the opponent.
Bernardo Silva is likely to start against Atletico after being rested against Elche on Tuesday, which could help Madrid take a firmer grip on the game. However, Mourinho's squad does not seem ideally equipped to control matches despite a lavish summer spending spree. Mourinho described his team as "frenetic," who get the ball back and accelerate, which can leave them exposed at the back.
Real Madrid's team is defined by their star attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham, ensuring they play at great pace, regardless of the scenario. This can leave them vulnerable at the back, and Vinicius Junior's poor goalscoring form has been a concern, with the forward being whistled by his own fans in recent weeks. Mourinho expressed hope that Vinicius will return to form, citing his past performances that "killed" games and led Madrid to Champions League triumphs.
Kylian Mbappe has been in exceptional form, boasting eight goals across all competitions, and will look to continue his Ballon d'Or campaign in the derby clash. Since Mbappe arrived in Madrid in 2024, the Spanish giants have failed to win a major trophy. To stop Barcelona, who have won La Liga two years running, Madrid cannot afford to drop many points, let alone against Simeone's side.
The coaches have a history of clashes, with Mourinho and Simeone having faced off four times during Mourinho's first spell in charge. If Madrid take the lead at the Metropolitano on Sunday, Mourinho will hope his side can maintain control and secure a win. The match will be a crucial test for Mourinho's second spell at the helm and his team's ability to control matches against top opponents.
Key points
- Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admitted his team struggles to control matches ahead of the La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid.
- Mourinho's team has shown attacking dynamism but struggles to shut the door on opponents.
- The match will be a crucial test for Mourinho's second spell at the helm and his team's ability to control matches against top opponents.
