Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho talked exactly how fans would have wanted to in the press conference ahead of the Clasico on Sunday night.
The manager was asked about whether this match would be Real Madrid’s litmus test of them being able to compete for and win trophies this season, and his answer was very, very short.
In the entire press conference, Mourinho spoke with confidence, but knowing fully well where the club stands at the moment and how much they still have to improve on in future months.
But, with regard to that specific question, Mourinho spoke with maximum conviction, without letting the pressers feel a shadow of a doubt in the way he said it.
He said: “No, Real Madrid win trophies with Mourinho.”
Jose Mourinho's confidence will hopefully be instilled in his Real Madrid side, too
That is how you win over a fanbase, and how you set the tone before such an important match. It may not seem like it, but with that just one line, Mourinho did a lot more than just instil confidence among the fanbase.
He was able to show his confidence, obviously, but he also gave Real Madrid players the peace of mind that one game, whether it is a win or a loss, won’t necessarily define the outcome of the season.
Mourinho also would have made Barcelona fans feel a bit uneasy. Talking with so much confidence while also being a work in progress shows that Mourinho is confident that at some point, this Real Madrid would be a finished product, and they will start winning titles once again – and he’s also sure that this will happen under his guidance.
Barcelona fans will rightfully be confident going into this match, but it is definitely worth noting that this one line could actually make them feel like Mourinho is setting the tone in more than one way, and that is going to be quite important going into the match.
He was able to remind them just what kind of a manager he has been and can be, especially in big games, and that the mind games have already started.
The Clasico is never won outside of the pitch, and it certainly would not happen this time, either, but Mourinho is trying his best to take pressure off his players and also be able to show them what the game actually means, so that when it is time, Real Madrid are able to go out with all guns blazing.
Whether it works or not is a separate discussion altogether, but this cold one-liner is surely going to help the team have a bit more confidence in him and themselves going into the match.
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