Jose Mourinho knows Real Madrid must be more consistent at the start of games, saying their recent history of comebacks is both a positive and a negative.

Madrid visit Valencia in LaLiga this Saturday, and a head-to-head meeting between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona the following day means they have a chance to make up ground at the top of the table.

Los Blancos sit third after 11 games, one point below cross-city rivals Atleti and three adrift of Barca, who lead the way. 

Mourinho's side thrashed Racing Santander 3-0 in their most recent league game, but they had a much tougher test in the Champions League on Wednesday, twice falling behind to AEK Athens before recovering for a 3-2 victory. 

"It's better not to have to come from behind, it's better to have things like in Santander, where it was 3-0 and could have been four or five by half-time," Mourinho told reporters on Friday.

"Coming from behind means many positive things, but also some negatives. The positives are the belief in the group, the friendship, that openness to risky situations, a strong bench, group motivation and knowing what jersey you are wearing… 

"But it also has a negative side, and we need to work on it, finding more consistency in starting games well, like in Santander. There's a lot for us to do."

 Our squad for the match!  @ValenciaCF_en https://t.co/lmKpSryRs0

— Real Madrid C.F.  (@realmadriden) November 6, 2026

Saturday's game will be the last one where Madrid are without Vinicius Junior, after he was suspended for four games after being sent off for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during a win over Villarreal last month.

But Mourinho says it may not be as simple as Vinicius walking back into their starting line-up after the international break.

"For me, the most important thing is the team. I would never harm the team to benefit a player. When we return to normal with Vini being available, I will manage it," he said. 

"I want the team to think game by game, but as a coach, I have to think about the next few matches and the sequence of games we have.

"The most straightforward answer to your question is that a coach must do everything to have his players at the highest level. 

"We always expect the Vini who eliminated me from the Champions League with Benfica, and that version exists. 

"We must continue exploring all strategies at all levels. When deciding who plays, the team is always above the individual."

Valencia are 19th in the table ahead of this weekend's fixtures, having beaten Elche 1-0 last time out to earn their first victory under former Mexico boss Javier Aguirre. 

 NEXT MATCH  @valenciacf_en  07/11 | 21:00 CET https://t.co/QTzpJXKgFF

— Real Madrid C.F.  (@realmadriden) November 6, 2026

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Valencia – Hugo Duro

Duro has scored five goals in 10 LaLiga appearances against Madrid; against no other opponent has he scored more goals in the competition (also five against Atletico).

Real Madrid – Kylian Mbappe

Only Raphinha (15) has scored more goals in Europe's top five leagues this season than Madrid star Mbappe (12). 

The Frenchman has also scored three goals across his last two LaLiga appearances against Valencia.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL MADRID WIN

Madrid have picked up points in their last three away games against Valencia in LaLiga (W2 D1), winning their last two. 

Los Blancos had struggled at the Mestalla previously – they have not avoided defeat on three straight visits in LaLiga since December 2013 (five wins in a row).

And they will be supremely confident going into Saturday's match, following Valencia's dismal start to the season. 

Valencia have failed to reach 10 points after their first 11 LaLiga games for the third consecutive season (nine in 2026-27, nine in 2025-26 and seven in 2024-25) – they had reached this tally in each of their previous 26 top-flight campaigns.

Only Malaga (74) and Getafe (108) have spent fewer minutes leading in LaLiga this season than Valencia (109), and only Barcelona (816) have spent more minutes with a lead Real Madrid (510).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Valencia – 12.1%

Real Madrid – 71.1%

Draw – 16.8%