Mourinho targets Barcelona at Camp Nou in resumption of El Clasico

Jose Mourinho prepares to return to the manager's dugout for El Clasico this Sunday at Camp Nou. The Portuguese coach takes charge of Real Madrid as they face La Liga leaders Barcelona. A win would reduce the current six-point gap between the two sides to three points. Conversely, a victory for Barcelona would widen their lead to nine points.

Barcelona enters the fixture after suffering its first defeat of the season. Hansi Flick's team lost 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday. This result contrasts with Real Madrid's recent form, as the visitors have won four consecutive matches. Real Madrid also arrives with a need for a confidence boost, having lost six of the last seven Clasicos.

Mourinho, 63, brings extensive experience to the rivalry. He has played in 27 matches against Barcelona and managed 17 El Clasicos on the Real Madrid bench. Florentino Perez first appointed Mourinho in 2010 to challenge Pep Guardiola's squad. The current appointment aims to bring the league title back to the Bernabeu. Cameras at Camp Nou will focus heavily on Mourinho's tactical decisions and reactions during the game.

Flick acknowledged the momentum behind his opponents before the match. He stated that he expected a Real Madrid side arriving with "a lot of confidence." The Barcelona manager expressed high respect for Mourinho's long career at elite levels. "When you’re managing teams on this level for so many years and you always have success, it’s about quality," Flick said.

Flick noted that his team has only been together for about two months since returning from the World Cup. He described the current squad as being in an initial phase where players and coach are still defining their approach. He argued that comparing a team in this developmental stage to more established sides is unfair.

Both managers emphasized the unique nature of the fixture. Flick called it the best match in the sport and noted its importance goes beyond three points. Mourinho agreed, stating that previous form has no influence in El Clasico. "Normally, the football world stops to watch it. Hopefully, it’s a great game and we win," Mourinho said.