After El Clásico: Mourinho hails 'great victory' and blasts VAR, Flick says Barcelona 'lacked freshness' as La Liga race tightens

Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, sealed by Kylian Mbappé’s 87th-minute goal, did more than settle one night of bragging rights. It ended Barcelona’s perfect start in La Liga, cut their lead to three points and gave José Mourinho another big Clásico win in his second spell at the club.

Here is what both coaches said, the refereeing row Mourinho raised, and how the table looks now.

Mourinho: “Great match, great victory”

Mourinho praised his players and played down his own role. “The boys played an extraordinary game, very organized, very focused, and with a lot of courage to play out from the back against an opponent that presses a lot,” he said, according to Real Madrid’s official site.

He framed the result in terms of the title race. “This match was one where we could leave trailing by three, six, or nine points,” he said. “Obviously, if you fall behind by nine, psychologically, it’s heavy.” He added: “We won calmly and with full merit.”

He also warned against getting carried away. “If we win today and lose at El Sardinero, today’s victory doesn’t hold the same weight,” Mourinho said, “because Real Madrid doesn’t play to win at Camp Nou. Real Madrid plays to win championships.”

The Cancelo VAR complaint

Mourinho said the referee “had a very good game,” but he criticized the video review officials. He said the VAR “was asleep in the 60th minute” on what he called “a clear red card” for Barcelona’s João Cancelo after a challenge on Yan Diomandé. Cancelo was not sent off.

Praise for Lunin, Valverde and Camavinga

• Andriy Lunin: With Thibaut Courtois out, Mourinho said he told the backup goalkeeper, “You train to play, not to sit on the bench. Go and play.” He said Lunin played with “great balance and calmness.”
• Federico Valverde: Mourinho said Valverde “played injured for more than 40 minutes” and “gave everything.” The club has not given details on the injury.
• Eduardo Camavinga: The substitute set up the winner. Mourinho explained that late runs from midfield, like Camavinga’s, are harder for Barcelona to track than runs by forwards.

A record for Mourinho

BBC Sport reported that Mourinho is now just the third Real Madrid coach to go six Clásicos in a row without defeat, joining Miguel Muñoz (1962-65) and Vicente del Bosque (2001-03). He has four wins and two draws in that stretch. BBC Sport also noted Real Madrid have now won five straight games in all competitions.

Flick: “We missed the freshness”

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he did not want to make excuses, but he admitted his team lacked fresh legs after a demanding few weeks, BBC Sport reported.

“We missed the freshness,” Flick said. “It’s not easy for our players. We have to recover well, train well and we have to respond from this defeat.”

“In big games, small things are important and they decide the games and today, it wasn’t on our side,” he added. “I can see that today we were not fresh and this is what we have to change.”

The loss was Barcelona’s first in La Liga this season, after nine straight league wins, according to Marca. Mourinho noted that Flick sent on Frenkie de Jong late in the game, which is part of why he turned to Camavinga to attack the space behind Barcelona’s midfield.

La Liga standings after El Clásico

According to Marca, the top of the table after 10 matches:

Barcelona remain top, but Atlético are just two points back and Real Madrid three. Before kickoff, Barcelona had a chance to go nine points clear of Madrid.

What’s next

• Real Madrid: Mourinho said his team now plays three straight away games: Sunday at El Sardinero, home of Racing Santander, then away again on Wednesday and Saturday.
• Barcelona: host Alavés on Saturday, Oct. 31 (4 p.m. ET), then Aston Villa in the Champions League on Nov. 3 before a trip to Atlético Madrid on Nov. 8, according to Sports Illustrated’s Spanish edition.

FAQ

Earlier coverage: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Mbappé scores late winner as Real Madrid win El Clásico 2-1 at Camp Nou (Oct 25)