{"id":4669,"date":"2026-09-20T08:44:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T08:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=4669"},"modified":"2026-09-20T08:44:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T08:44:56","slug":"jose-mourinho-needs-to-help-real-madrid-overcome-their-metropolitano-curse-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportbulletin.top\/?p=4669","title":{"rendered":"Jose Mourinho needs to help Real Madrid overcome their Metropolitano curse: Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Real Madrid<\/a> are one of Spain\u2019s historic giants, and the consequence of being around for as long as they have is the inevitable rivalries that appear over time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There are stadiums around Spain where Los Blancos<\/em> expect hostility. Then there are stadiums where that hostility starts developing into a pattern. In recent years, the Metropolitano has increasingly become the latter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Madrid head into today\u2019s derby against Atletico having won only one of their last seven La Liga<\/a><\/em> visits to the Metropolitano.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Metropolitano curse is becoming difficult to ignore<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Atletico are strong at home, the atmosphere is hostile and Diego Simeone\u2019s teams know exactly how to turn these games into physical, emotional contests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A one-off loss to them can be explained away. Seven league visits begin to tell a different story about Madrid, though.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Metropolitano has been a bogey ground for Real Madrid in recent seasons. (Photo by Angel Martinez\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His teams have historically been comfortable when matches become confrontational and tactically ugly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He spoke before today\u2019s game about derbies carrying history, culture and passion, while also stressing that ultimately there are three points at stake.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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His players need to understand that balance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This Madrid team cannot afford another passive derby<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Mourinho\u2019s team arrive with five victories from six La Liga<\/em> matches, 17 league goals and plenty of attacking firepower, but there have been warning signs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Atletico, meanwhile, are unbeaten at the Metropolitano this season. The concern is Madrid\u2019s tendency to lose control during matches.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This makes Mourinho\u2019s team selection extremely crucial<\/a>. Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde can give Madrid the physical base required.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However, Los Blancos<\/em> also need someone capable of controlling the game, and this is where Arda Guler could make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The temptation at the Metropolitano is always to prepare for battle. Madrid should prepare to play football.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Today is about changing the narrative<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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This is only September. Losing would not decide the league, and winning would not suddenly make Madrid champions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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However, some matches carry significance beyond just the table, and a trip to the Metropolitano has become one such encounter for Los Blancos<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The onus is on Jose Mourinho to set the record straight against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Christian Bruna\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Madrid have spent too many recent league visits leaving with frustration. It is bound to have a psychological consequence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Today\u2019s derby is therefore an opportunity for Mourinho\u2019s new Madrid to establish something important about itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Starting with a clean slate should help to an extent, but it is also important to remember that the scars of the past remain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For a club of Madrid\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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