Mourinho’s clear message to Real Madrid players as plans to catch up to Barcelona take shape

Mourinho’s clear message to Real Madrid players as plans to catch up to Barcelona take shape According to AS , Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is insisting that his players collect all nine available points before the international break, fully aware that FC Barcelona are in strong form and likely to do the same. Real Madrid’s defeat away to Real Betis disrupted their plans for the opening weeks of the La Liga season. Mourinho’s initial objective was to reach the first international break with a perfect record of 21 points from 21, building confidence while his new team continued to take shape and putting pressure on Barcelona. The setback in Seville changed that equation. After just four league matches, Los Blancos already find themselves three points behind their arch-rivals, who have maintained their perfect start to the season. But Mourinho has not abandoned his target. If anything, he believes collecting every available point before the break has become even more important. There are nine points still to play for, and the Portuguese coach wants all nine in the bank. Mourinho wants Real Madrid to keep pace with Barcelona Real Madrid are three points behind Barcelona. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) Mourinho has repeatedly stressed the unique pressure involved in competing for the league title in Spain. The situation is particularly demanding because of Barcelona’s start to the campaign. Hansi Flick’s side have won all five of their matches in all competitions, scoring 22 goals – they have scored five goals in four of those five victories. Before the international break, Barça face Levante, Racing Santander and Sevilla. They will be favourites in all three matches, although the trip to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan represents the toughest test on paper. Mourinho knows, however, that the situation can change quickly. The season is long and there will inevitably be periods when teams hit good and bad runs of form. That is precisely why he sees the next three matches as so important. Real Madrid may not be at their best yet, but they need to collect every point available. Mourinho’s plan is straightforward: nine points from nine. Rayo, Elche and the Madrid derby Mourinho targeting three wins in three before the international break. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) The first obstacle is Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu this weekend, which appears to be the most manageable fixture of the three. After that, however, the difficulty level increases. Real Madrid travel to Elche, who may be second from bottom in the table but tend to make life particularly difficult for the capital club at home. Then comes the biggest test of all: the derby against Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Atletico Madrid have also struggled at the start of the season, winning just two of their first five matches. But Mourinho knows that a poor start does not necessarily make them any less dangerous. The same thing happened last season, only for Real Madrid to suffer a heavy defeat when they visited their city rivals. That 5-2 loss proved to be the beginning of the end for Xabi Alonso. Mourinho has taken note and his message to the squad is clear: Barcelona are flying, Real Madrid have already dropped points, and there is no room for another slip before the international break.