Mourinho calls Madrid a work in progress before Clásico

Real Madrid coach José Mourinho said his team remains a work in progress ahead of Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona, arguing that it would be unfair to judge the side as though it were already fully developed. Mourinho, speaking before the La Liga match at Camp Nou, said Madrid had worked together for only about three months, with preseason and players’ time away on international duty reducing the time spent as a group. He said the players were still learning his methods and leadership, while he was assessing the squad and establishing how he wanted the team to play. The coach contrasted Madrid’s early stage under his leadership with Barcelona’s more established team. Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, had won back-to-back La Liga titles and led the table before the fixture. Madrid were third, six points behind, after nine league matches, according to the standings reported before Sunday’s game. Mourinho said Madrid’s four consecutive wins would not determine the Clásico, just as Barcelona’s recent defeat by Paris Saint-Germain would not necessarily affect its approach or confidence. He said the fixture was different from other matches and that previous results carried little...