Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou has given club president Florentino Perez renewed confidence in the team’s direction and revived their challenge for the Spanish league title.
The result eased doubts surrounding Jose Mourinho’s project and offered encouragement after a difficult period for the club. Perez was not at the match in Barcelona, with relations between the two clubs described as tense, and a representative attended in his place. However, the president made sure his congratulations reached the players and coaching staff, while also praising several individual performances.
Mourinho was among the biggest beneficiaries of the result. The Portuguese manager had faced criticism and questions over whether he could improve Real Madrid’s performances, particularly after the derby defeat.
Some commentators had argued that changing the manager had not solved the team’s technical problems. The discussion had even moved towards possible alternatives, including Didier Deschamps.
Victory at Barcelona, however, provided Mourinho with a significant lift. Real Madrid showed they could compete at the highest level in a major fixture, making the Clasico an important test of Perez’s decision to place his faith in the manager. The result also helped restore confidence within the club.
Mbappe, Bellingham and Guler make their mark
Perez’s satisfaction was not limited to Mourinho’s response. The performance also strengthened the case for several signings and decisions that had previously attracted scrutiny.
Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were central to the victory and further demonstrated why they are regarded as important pillars of Real Madrid’s long-term plans.
There was also an impressive display from Arda Guler, whom the club sees as a potential first-choice creative player in the coming years. Eduardo Camavinga, meanwhile, again benefited from the trust placed in him by the club’s hierarchy despite criticism during earlier stages of his career.
Both players performed strongly against Barcelona, reinforcing Perez’s belief that they should remain part of the team’s development. The match also underlined the depth of Real Madrid’s squad, with players capable of influencing major games through goals, creativity and their ability to control the tempo.
The fixture list also shows Barcelona in La Liga action on 31 October 2026, while Deportivo Alaves face Racing Santander in the competition on 01 November 2026. Real Madrid are also listed for a La Liga fixture on 01 November 2026.
Titles remain the target
Despite the optimism created by the Clasico win, Perez understands that beating Barcelona does not secure a trophy. The success of the project will depend on whether Real Madrid can maintain their level throughout the season.
The president hopes Mourinho and his players can use the result as momentum in their pursuit of silverware. For Perez, the final results at the end of the campaign will be the true measure of his decisions, rather than the victory over Barcelona alone.
