José Mourinho has warned Real Madrid against becoming complacent after their 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou, insisting that winning the La Liga title, rather than celebrating individual El Clásico victories, remains the club’s ultimate objective.
The Portuguese manager delivered the message after Kylian Mbappé scored twice to secure three crucial points for Madrid on Sunday, October 25, reducing the gap between the two sides at the top of the La Liga standings to three points.
Madrid’s victory ended Barcelona’s nine-match winning start to the league campaign and strengthened Mourinho’s position following his return to one of football’s most fiercely contested rivalries.
However, the experienced manager made it clear that his players must maintain their concentration if they are to turn Sunday’s impressive result into a successful title challenge.
“Real Madrid do not play to win at the Camp Nou. Real Madrid play to win La Liga,” Mourinho said after the match, stressing the importance of maintaining the right mentality throughout the season.
He also cautioned against allowing the celebrations to distract the team from its immediate responsibilities, warning that a defeat in their next fixture would diminish the significance of the victory over Barcelona.
Mourinho praised his players for their performance, describing the team as a strong group whose unity, work ethic and willingness to fight for one another had been crucial to the result.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan manager also acknowledged the responsibility that comes with leading Real Madrid, observing that coaches frequently receive the blame when teams lose, while the players deserve recognition when they win.
Sunday’s victory was particularly significant because Madrid had to overcome a Barcelona side that entered the contest in impressive form.
Mbappé opened the scoring in the 41st minute when Yan Diomande’s cross deflected off Barcelona defender Gerard Martín and rebounded into the net off the French forward.
Raphinha restored parity for Barcelona in the 61st minute, finishing after a pass from Pedri, but Madrid remained composed and eventually found the decisive breakthrough.
Mbappé struck again in the 87th minute, completing his brace after a rapid attacking move involving Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler and substitute Eduardo Camavinga. The Frenchman finished into an unguarded net after Camavinga delivered the decisive pass.
The result demonstrated Madrid’s ability to remain competitive under pressure and punish opponents when opportunities arise.
Mourinho was particularly pleased with the team’s organisation and determination against a Barcelona side capable of creating problems in possession. He also highlighted the importance of squad depth, explaining that having midfielders with different qualities provides greater balance in both defensive and attacking situations.
The manager’s comments suggest that he sees the victory as an important step rather than a defining achievement in the title race.
Madrid have previously produced convincing wins against several opponents this season, but Mourinho acknowledged that defeating Barcelona carries a different level of significance because of the quality of the opposition and the intensity surrounding El Clásico.
Nevertheless, he insisted that the team must maintain the same discipline and commitment in its upcoming fixtures.
The three points leave Madrid with renewed momentum, but the competition at the top of La Liga remains intense. Barcelona will be eager to respond to the defeat, while Madrid must continue collecting points if they are to sustain their challenge over the coming months.
For Mourinho, the message is straightforward: the celebrations must not become a distraction, and the players must remain focused on the bigger objective.
Real Madrid have won an important battle against their fiercest rivals, but their manager knows that the real measure of their season will be whether they can maintain their consistency and finish the campaign as Spanish champions.
