Real Madrid and Atletico in Madrid Derby

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admitted that his side struggles to control matches ahead of today’s highly anticipated derby against Atletico Madrid, in the seventh round of the Spanish league. Before his first major test in his second stint at the helm, Los Blancos displayed an attacking vitality that the manager described as “frantic,” yet he acknowledged that his team is not adept at closing out games against opponents.

Second-placed Real Madrid trail titleholders Barcelona by three points. Barcelona have yet to suffer a defeat, having lost only one of their first six matches this season and won the other five, while Atletico Madrid sit in third place. However, the royal club needed late goals from substitute striker Carlos Escribá to secure victories against Espanyol and Elche, keeping them close to league leaders Barcelona.

Mourinho said: “I think the problem is clear. Identifying the cause is more difficult, but it is easy to understand that there are matches that appear to be won, but in the end they are not.” He added: “There are matches where we are given three, four, or five chances to seal them, and we fail to do so. After failing to capitalize, we seem to shift from a sense of comfort, because it seemed easy, to losing control.”

Meanwhile, 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 worry him for this match and beyond, stating: “Not just for Sunday’s game, but for every match. I like my team to score goals... but I also like to control matches.” The Portuguese manager continued: “I do not like to give control to the opponent. It is not about goals; it is about relinquishing control of the match.”

It is likely that his compatriot Bernardo Silva will start against Atletico after being rested during Tuesday’s match against Elche, which could help Real Madrid impose greater control over the game. However, despite significant spending in the summer transfer window, Mourinho’s squad does not appear optimally equipped to dominate matches.