Mourinho plays down Clasico

Jose Mourinho acknowledges the importance of Real Madrid’s clash with Barcelona but does not believe it will decide the La Liga title.

Real travel to the Camp Nou one point ahead of the reigning champions after 12 games of the season played.

Barce won both instalments of the ‘Clasico’ – home and away – en route to winning the championship by three points from Real last season.

While the title appears set to be narrowly contested once again by Spain’s two biggest clubs, Mourinho does not believe it can be won or lost on Monday.

“The Clasico is obviously an important match because we will play against a direct opponent; the points we may end up taking will be points dropped by them,” Mourinho said.

“Nevertheless, whatever happens tomorrow, 25 league games will still remain.”

“My team is psychologically strong enough to lose tomorrow and continue having faith in itself and winning games without getting overexcited. A championship demands of you to play at the highest level for 10 months. I don’t want our self esteem to change if we win or lose tomorrow.”

Mourinho also claimed that Real would not be taming their attacking instincts, despite confronting a rampant Barcelona side in their own back yard.

“We won’t change our working methods for Barcelona or any other team. We have the same respect for all our opponents. Barcelona may be better than other teams in La Liga, but we have the same respect for all and we always have to look for their weakest points,” he said.

“The Clasico isn’t won by the team that’s in better form or having a better run. It’s hard for me to say I’m the favourite to win because I’m in a better position. I don’t see it that way. My experience in derbies and classic games tells me otherwise.”

Under investigation for apparently ordering players to be deliberately sent off in the Champions League last week, Mourinho claims there will be no such disciplinary chicanery this time round.

“I’m not worried about the referee. I think referee Iturralde is a referee supporter, not a Barcelona supporter. It will be easier for him to do his job well if the players help him. It will be harder if they don’t. Our intention is to help the referee,” he said.