José Mourinho has dismissed comparisons between his Real Madrid side and high-scoring Barcelona ahead of Sunday's Madrid derby at the Metropolitano. Barcelona lead La Liga by three points after scoring 28 goals in six games, including a 7-2 win over Racing Santander. Madrid have lost only once but needed late winners in two matches, most recently Carlos Espí's 91st-minute strike at Elche.

"Historically, culturally, Real Madrid can't be compared to anyone," Mourinho said. "I'll speak about us, our problems, and the things we have to improve... It's a marathon. The league isn't always a straight motorway." He acknowledged his team's struggles to maintain 90-minute performances but emphasized their collective strength and determination.

Mourinho praised Atlético manager Diego Simeone, his rival since Mourinho's first Bernabéu spell. "We're rivals again, but we're war comrades," he said. The Portuguese coach framed the season as a process, noting they have been together only a few months. Madrid's U20 team also won a cup, while Kylian Mbappé expressed his desire to bring the Ballon d'Or to the Bernabéu and switched sponsors from Nike to On.