"Al-Riyal" and Atletico Madrid: Who will assert their dominance in the "Derby"?

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admitted that his team does not know how to control matches ahead of today’s highly anticipated derby against Atletico Madrid in the seventh round of the Spanish La Liga.

Ahead of what will be Mourinho’s first major test during his second stint in charge, “Los Blancos” displayed an attacking vitality that the manager described as “feverish,” but he acknowledged that his side is not adept at closing out games against opponents.

Real Madrid, currently in second place, trail league leaders Barcelona by three points. Barcelona, the reigning champions, have yet to suffer a defeat this season, having lost only one of their first six matches and won the other five. Atletico Madrid occupy third place.

However, the “Royal” side required late goals from substitute striker Carlos Alcaraz to secure victories over Espanyol and Elche, keeping them close to top-of-the-table Barcelona.

Mourinho said: “I think the problem is clear. Understanding the cause is harder, but it is easy to see that there are matches that appear to be under control, yet in the end, they are not.”

He added: “There are matches where we have three, four, or five chances to seal the result, but we fail to do so. After failing to do that, it seems we shift from a sense of comfort, because things seemed easy, to losing control.”

On the other side, Atletico Madrid’s Argentine manager Diego Simeone, known for his tactical acumen, will seek to punish Real Madrid if they lose focus in the derby.

Mourinho confirmed that his team’s defensive issues are a cause for concern in this match and beyond, stating: “It is not just about today’s match, but every match. I like my team to score goals… but I also like to control matches.”

The Portuguese continued: “I do not like giving control to the opponent. It is not about goals; it is about relinquishing control of the match.”

His compatriot Bernardo Silva is likely to start against Atletico after resting during the Elche match, a move that could help Real Madrid impose better control over the flow of the game. However, Mourinho’s lineup does not appear optimally equipped to dominate matches, despite significant spending during the summer transfer window.

The record 15-time European champions feature a potent attacking trio of Brazilian Vinicius Junior, Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, and Englishman Jude Bellingham, which effectively forces a high-intensity playing style regardless of match conditions, potentially leaving the team exposed defensively.