Real Madrid News
Real Sociedad star names Barcelona as stronger side but expects Real Madrid to improve: ‘Mourinho could turn everything around’
Real Sociedad winger Ander Barrenetxea has given his verdict on the La Liga title race ahead of his side’s trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, naming Barcelona as the stronger team while refusing to rule out a major response from Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.
Speaking to AS before Real Sociedad face Real Madrid in their first home game of the 2026/27 season, Barrenetxea was asked to compare the two Spanish giants after another summer of significant investment.
Barrenetxea sees Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid
When asked about his preference between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Barrenetxea acknowledged that Mourinho could change the situation, although he preferred to name the Blaugrana.
“I see Barcelona as the stronger side, but now Madrid with Mourinho could turn everything around, so I don’t know – but at a pinch, Barcelona.”
Barrenetxea’s assessment comes after another summer in which Spain’s biggest clubs have strengthened their squads, increasing the level of competition at the top of La Liga.
The Real Sociedad winger welcomed the arrival of top players, believing matches against the best teams provide footballers with the clearest measure of their own level.
“Well, I like that. I like the fact that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético have the best players, because ultimately that’s where you get a sense of your own level when you play against them.
“You see where you really stand, they put you in your place a bit, and I like that.
“I think we’ve all dreamt since we were little of playing against the best: against Messi, Cristiano.
“And I think those players are coming to LaLiga again now, so I’m happy. Rodri joining Barça too – it’s mad.”
Barrenetxea on facing Real Madrid
Barrenetxea was also asked when opponents have the best chance of facing Real Madrid over the course of a season, to which he said,
“Never. It’s best never to face them. But yes, I do think that at the start is when they are in the worst physical shape and when I reckon you can do them the most damage.”
The match also represents an opportunity for Barrenetxea to continue his personal record against Los Blancos.
The winger admitted that Real Madrid are the team he has scored against most often during his career.
“That’s right. Yes, I’m good at it. In fact, I think they’re the team I’ve scored the most goals against.”
He also explained why finding the net at the Santiago Bernabeu carries an extra sense of satisfaction.
“Well, against teams like this, you enjoy scoring even more. I suppose that’s true for everyone, and for me too, of course.”
Lastly, when asked whether he expected any banter from Mourinho, the winger dismissed the possibility and emphasised his respect.
“No, no. Impossible – I have a lot of respect for him,” he concluded.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho talks Carlos Espi, Diomande, Guler, Tchouameni, Atletico Madrid after Elche 2-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid found another way to win, but Jose Mourinho was hardly celebrating the manner of it.
Carlos Espi’s injury-time strike completed a 3-2 comeback against Elche, rescuing Madrid after they had surrendered control of a game that appeared to be in their hands.
For Mourinho, the result was welcome, but the performance raised a familiar concern.
“When everything seems easy and you let things slide, it’s dangerous. Then the team reacts and wins, but it’s not pleasant.
“The other good thing is that nobody gets bored with these matches. They’re fun,” he began saying.
Mourinho knows what is going wrong
The Portuguese coach was particularly frustrated by another drop in intensity after the interval.
Real Madrid had opportunities to put the game beyond Elche before allowing their advantage to disappear. Mourinho believes that pattern is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
“It seems obvious to me. It’s easy to understand. These are games that are all but over, where we have chances to seal the deal but don’t. After failing to do so, we go from having it easy to losing control.
“If we play poorly from the first minute to the 90th, the concern is huge.
“If we have periods where we’re at our best and others where we’re not proactive, just waiting, lacking intensity… Of course it’s a concern. But we won.”
The win keeps Madrid moving, but Mourinho’s concern is less about the points than the way his team is repeatedly making matches unnecessarily complicated.
Carlos Espi again provided the decisive moment from the bench, although Mourinho knows breaking into the starting XI will be difficult with Mbappé ahead of him.
“He’s a guy who works hard and is very motivated,” Mourinho said.
He then added, “He’s up against a player who’s in a league of his own (Mbappe), and we’re well aware of that.”
Madrid derby comes at a delicate moment
Next up is Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho’s attention is already turning towards the derby.
Rather than focusing on the opposition, he remains concerned about his own side’s ability to manage matches.
“The only explanation I can find is that we can’t keep going like this. We misjudged the opportunities we had, and once they score a goal, everything changes,” explained the Real Madrid coach.
Meanwhile, there were positives to take from individual performances, as Mourinho praised Yan Diomande’s development after another energetic outing.
“He’s improving. Physically, you can tell he has more minutes under his belt. He has a great work ethic and intelligence—he’s done a great job.”
Mourinho refuses to call Guler indispensable
Arda Guler’s importance was also questioned after another fantastic performance, but Mourinho rejected the idea that any player is beyond replacement.
“No, no one is indispensable. We were losing control when I made the substitutions; Vini did a great job on defence, but he was very tired.
“And Arda, who was playing in the number 10 position, was also losing intensity.
“I brought in a fresh Jude and Brahim when we were down 0-2, but I could sense we were losing control. That’s how it goes for us. And then, we brought in the heavy artillery and turned it around.”
Mourinho was also pleased with Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde during Madrid’s strongest spells.
“When the team was playing well, he and Valverde were playing well. They broke through the pressure easily, with skill.
“But the game had two phases—or rather three: one until it was 0–2, another until it was 2–2, and another until the end. They did a good job,” he concluded.
Source: AS
