According to a report Daily Post on Monday October 26, 2026, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has explained the reasons behind his team's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in Sunday's El Clasico, praising his players for their bravery, composure and ability to cope with the hosts' intense pressing.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice to secure the victory for Madrid, while Raphinha found the net for Barcelona in a fiercely contested encounter.

The result allowed Madrid to reduce the gap to Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table to three points, strengthening their position in the title race.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho expressed his satisfaction with the performance of his players, particularly their willingness to play out from the back despite the pressure applied by Barcelona.

The Portuguese coach praised his side for refusing to abandon their approach against a team known for pressing opponents aggressively and attempting to force mistakes in dangerous areas.

"My boys were amazing tonight. They were very brave, especially in build-up, against a team that presses very strongly and very high," Mourinho said.

According to the Madrid boss, his players demonstrated the courage required to maintain possession and find solutions under pressure rather than allowing Barcelona to dictate the game.

Their ability to remain composed proved important throughout the contest, as Madrid looked to exploit opportunities while dealing with Barcelona's attempts to win the ball high up the pitch.

Mourinho was also impressed by his team's reaction after Barcelona equalised. Rather than becoming nervous or losing concentration, Madrid continued to compete and eventually secured the decisive result.

"And even when they equalized, we did not panic or lose focus," he added.

The manager's comments highlighted the importance of mental strength in a fixture where the momentum can quickly shift from one side to the other.

Barcelona's equaliser threatened to complicate Madrid's task, but the visitors remained focused and continued searching for the goal that would put them back in front.

Mbappe ultimately proved decisive, scoring twice to ensure that Madrid left the encounter with all three points. The French forward's contribution underlined his importance to the team's attacking ambitions, particularly in high-pressure matches against direct title rivals.

However, Mourinho admitted that his side could have made the contest more comfortable by scoring a second goal before Barcelona had the opportunity to respond.

The Madrid manager acknowledged that failing to establish a two-goal advantage left his team exposed and gave Barcelona a chance to remain in the game.

Despite that concern, Mourinho was pleased with the overall performance, especially the discipline and confidence displayed by his players against a Barcelona side that applied sustained pressure.

The victory represents an important boost for Madrid as they seek to challenge Barcelona for the LaLiga title. Reducing the gap to three points keeps the pressure on the reigning champions and gives Mourinho's team renewed confidence heading into their next fixtures.

Madrid will next travel to face Racing Santander in the league before turning their attention to an away encounter against AEK Athens in the Champions League.

Mourinho will hope his players can carry the confidence from their El Clasico triumph into those matches, although he will also expect them to improve their game management and take their opportunities more efficiently.