Barcelona’s Lead Shrinks as Real Madrid Beat Rivals in Clasico and La Liga Heats Up

A tighter title race

The result reshaped the top of La Liga. Barcelona would have moved nine points clear with a win, but Real’s victory brought Mourinho’s team within three points of their rivals.

It was only Real’s second win in eight games against Barcelona. Mourinho’s return to the fixture came 13 years after he last led the club in an El Clasico.

Mourinho’s record and approach

Mourinho became only the third Real Madrid manager to go six consecutive El Clasicos without defeat. Across his matches in the fixture, he has now recorded six wins and six losses.

He praised his players’ composure and effort. Mourinho said Real won “with calmness and with all merit,” and described the squad as a strong group in which everyone was ready to win. He also pointed to the variety of his midfield options, saying a mix of talents brought defensive balance and attacking quality.

Flick cites tired legs

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he did not want to make excuses for the defeat, but acknowledged that his players lacked fresh legs after a demanding few weeks. Flick said small details decide major matches and that, on this occasion, they did not go Barcelona’s way.