Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says the focus is on La Liga after their 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including a dramatic late winner, as Madrid claimed a crucial victory in Sunday’s Clasico to move within three points of their rivals at the top of the table.
Madrid have now won five consecutive matches in all competitions, but Mourinho made it clear that maintaining their momentum is more important than celebrating one high-profile result.
“This is a great win, but when we get back to work, I’m not going to let anyone have their head in the clouds,” Mourinho said after the match.
“If we win today and lose at El Sardinero, Real Madrid don’t play to win at Camp Nou, but rather to win the league. We have to keep going.”
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 41st minute when Gerard Martin’s attempted clearance rebounded off the French forward and into the net.
Barcelona responded through Raphinha, but Madrid struck again late in the game when Mbappé finished a swift counterattack, with substitute Eduardo Camavinga supplying the decisive pass.
Mourinho was delighted with his team’s performance, praising their organisation, concentration and determination against a strong Barcelona side.
“I think it was a great game. A game at a high level, a game which the world that loves football stopped to see, and they weren’t let down,” he said.
“In our case, the boys played an extraordinary game, well organised, focused, with a lot of courage.”
The Madrid coach added that his players deserved the victory after delivering such a committed performance against their biggest rivals.
“For me it’s a great victory for the boys, against a great opponent. The boys deserve it,” he said.
Madrid also had to cope with the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who missed the match because of flu. Andriy Lunin stepped in and helped the visitors secure an important result.
Mourinho backed the reserve goalkeeper, stressing that the squad had enough quality to deal with the setback.
“The only thing I said to Lunin before the game was: you train to play, not to be on the bench,” he said.
“We have the best keeper in the world, but today we weren’t crying before the game because Thibaut couldn’t play. The group is strong.”
Captain Federico Valverde also showed his commitment by continuing to play despite suffering an injury during the first half.
“Valverde played injured for over 40 minutes,” Mourinho revealed. “He got injured, he wanted to carry on. He wanted to go to the limit. He gave everything on the field.”
Madrid will now turn their attention to Sunday’s away match against Racing Santander, where Mourinho will expect his players to maintain the standards that secured their Clasico triumph.
