One match cannot predict an entire season, let alone several, but Sunday’s Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid may offer an early indication of what lies ahead. The La Liga meeting at Camp Nou also provides a reminder of Jose Mourinho’s first experience of the fixture a 5-0 defeat that exposed the scale of the challenge he faced against Barcelona.
Mourinho’s first Clasico came on 29 November 2010, when Real Madrid were overwhelmed by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. The result suggested that ending the Catalan side’s dominance would be a difficult task, something that was borne out during the remainder of the Portuguese manager’s first spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid did at times compete with, and occasionally overcome, Guardiola’s outstanding team. Across the rivalry, Mourinho’s side recorded five wins, six defeats and six draws against Barcelona. However, the overall balance remained in the Catalan club’s favour.
Barcelona won La Liga in two of Mourinho’s three seasons at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, while the two clubs’ European contest also went Barcelona’s way in the semi-finals of the 2010-11 Champions League.
Mourinho collected three trophies during that first period in charge: the Copa del Rey in 2010-11, La Liga in 2011-12 and the Spanish Super Cup in 2012.
The significance of Sunday’s game may extend beyond the result because Real Madrid signed a number of high-profile players during the most recent transfer window. That suggests there may not be wholesale changes to the squad next season, meaning Mourinho could rely heavily on the current group during the early part of a second spell in charge.
For many of those players, this will be their first Clasico since the summer changes to the squad. Their performance at Camp Nou could therefore provide an early indication of how effectively the team is adapting.
Barcelona favourites, but Real Madrid pose a threat
Barcelona remain the stronger team on paper despite their latest result, a 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Real Madrid, by contrast, go into the match after a convincing 4-1 victory over Leipzig.
Barcelona have looked the more cohesive and consistent side this season, according to both their performances and results, which makes them the pre-match favourites. Real Madrid’s recent improvement, however, cannot be ignored.
The Madrid side have scored only four goals in their last three matches, while conceding three against Roma and one each against Sevilla and Leipzig. Those defensive figures should concern Barcelona as they prepare for the game.
Barcelona must also demonstrate how they respond to the setback against Paris Saint-Germain. Sunday will test whether they have the character to recover quickly from that European disappointment and return to winning ways, or whether the defeat signals the beginning of an inconsistent season feared by their supporters.
