Jose Mourinho stated that he feels equally motivated for every match with Real Madrid, including the Madrid derby.
As they get ready to face Atletico Madrid in their final game before a long international break, both teams aim to apply pressure on league leaders Barcelona, who are currently undefeated.
Mourinho’s return has seen Real Madrid perform exceptionally well, losing only one of their six LaLiga matches, winning five, and occupying second place, trailing the champions by six points.
Atletico Madrid has also recorded just one loss in the league, sitting two points behind Madrid and having drawn one match, resulting in four wins overall.
Mourinho boasts a perfect record against Atletico in LaLiga, having won all six derbies, making him the only manager to achieve this feat in his initial six matches against them.
When asked if he feels more driven to compete in a derby compared to a Clasico at this point in his career, Mourinho emphasized that every single match is equally important to him.
“I find motivation every day,” Mourinho explained. “I understand your question is respectful, but when you refer to my career stage, I believe my approach remains unchanged. Whether it’s against Villarreal next matchday or a derby, I feel just as motivated. The significance of these matches lies in the culture and history, yet my motivation is consistent every day.”
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 17, 2026
Madrid has faced challenges in their last five LaLiga away matches against Atletico, totaling three losses and only one win, after having dominated prior encounters at the Metropolitano with only one defeat in 20 visits (12 wins, 7 draws).
Despite having won their last two clashes against Atletico, they haven’t achieved three consecutive victories since 2013, during which they had a streak of 10 wins, eight of which were under Mourinho.
“I can’t guarantee that we’ll win at the Metropolitano,” Mourinho stated when discussing the difficulty of away games for Madrid against Atletico. “That’s the goal, as it is for the players, but I’m not certain if we can achieve it. We must focus on improvement and securing results, which is our aim.”
“We have confidence, but we must stay humble and committed to our development.”
Fan Take: This news is pivotal for soccer enthusiasts, as it highlights the competitive nature of LaLiga and adds intensity to the Madrid derby, a fixture steeped in history. The outcome could significantly impact the title race, making this clash essential viewing for fans.
Source: www.soccernews.com
