Jose Mourinho needs to help Real Madrid overcome their Metropolitano curse: Opinion
· Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid are one of Spain’s historic giants, and the consequence of being around for as long as they have is the inevitable rivalries that appear over time.
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There are stadiums around Spain where Los Blancos expect hostility. Then there are stadiums where that hostility starts developing into a pattern. In recent years, the Metropolitano has increasingly become the latter.
Madrid head into today’s derby against Atletico having won only one of their last seven La Liga visits to the Metropolitano.
That solitary victory came back in September 2022. It is an uncomfortable record for a club that normally prides itself on travelling anywhere without changing its expectations.
The Metropolitano curse is becoming difficult to ignore
Atletico are strong at home, the atmosphere is hostile and Diego Simeone’s teams know exactly how to turn these games into physical, emotional contests.
A one-off loss to them can be explained away. Seven league visits begin to tell a different story about Madrid, though.
Madrid have too often allowed Atletico to dictate and play the derby to their liking by being too passive on their trips to the stadium.
Metropolitano has been a bogey ground for Real Madrid in recent seasons. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
That is the pattern Jose Mourinho has to attack and try to conquer later today. The Portuguese manager understands such games better than anyone else.
His teams have historically been comfortable when matches become confrontational and tactically ugly.
He spoke before today’s game about derbies carrying history, culture and passion, while also stressing that ultimately there are three points at stake.
His players need to understand that balance.
This Madrid team cannot afford another passive derby
Mourinho’s team arrive with five victories from six La Liga matches, 17 league goals and plenty of attacking firepower, but there have been warning signs.
Atletico, meanwhile, are unbeaten at the Metropolitano this season. The concern is Madrid’s tendency to lose control during matches.
Their second-half performances have been particularly unstable recently, something that becomes far more dangerous at a stadium where Atletico feed off momentum and the crowd.
This makes Mourinho’s team selection extremely crucial. Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde can give Madrid the physical base required.
However, Los Blancos also need someone capable of controlling the game, and this is where Arda Guler could make a lot of sense.
The temptation at the Metropolitano is always to prepare for battle. Madrid should prepare to play football.
Today is about changing the narrative
This is only September. Losing would not decide the league, and winning would not suddenly make Madrid champions.
However, some matches carry significance beyond just the table, and a trip to the Metropolitano has become one such encounter for Los Blancos.
The onus is on Jose Mourinho to set the record straight against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)
Madrid have spent too many recent league visits leaving with frustration. It is bound to have a psychological consequence.
Today’s derby is therefore an opportunity for Mourinho’s new Madrid to establish something important about itself.
Starting with a clean slate should help to an extent, but it is also important to remember that the scars of the past remain.
For a club of Madrid’s stature, a record of one league win in seven almost feels like an aberration, and it is time for Mourinho and company to set the record straight later today.