Barcelona Players Reportedly Relishing Real Madrid's Slow Start
Yahoo Sports
The short version
- Real Madrid have won five of seven La Liga games and sit six points behind Barcelona.
- Barcelona have a perfect record and are aiming for a third straight league title.
- Jose Alvarez of El Chiringuito reports Barcelona players are enjoying Madrid's struggles ahead of the Clasico.
- Madrid remain unhappy with refereeing from the Atletico Madrid match at the Metropolitano.
- A three-week international break gives Mourinho time to address the team's issues.
A Spanish TV report says Barcelona's squad is amused by rival Real Madrid's uneven form with the first Clasico of the season approaching.
Real Madrid have taken five wins from their opening seven La Liga matches and trail leaders Barcelona by six points. Barcelona, meanwhile, have won every game they have played this season and are chasing what would be a third consecutive league crown.
According to El Chiringuito journalist Jose Alvarez, members of Barcelona's squad are entertained by their rival's early difficulties and are already focused on the first Clasico of the campaign. Beyond results, Madrid face questions about the form of Vinicius Junior, the ongoing pairing with Mbappe, and manager Jose Mourinho's search for more creativity and control in the middle of the park. The club was also unhappy with officiating decisions in the derby against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Mourinho still appears to be settling on his best combinations, and an upcoming three-week international pause offers him time to reset. Madrid's next chance to answer will come in the Clasico itself, where a win would cut deeply into the current six-point gap.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
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