Jose Mourinho has one clear message for Real Madrid after the Barcelona win, do not treat the trip to Racing Santander as a reward. He told his squad, "We have to go out to win and give everything." Madrid are three points behind Barcelona, and Mourinho wants the response to be measured by what happens next, not by the mood after the Clasico.

Mourinho's warning after Barcelona

Mourinho said the match at El Sardinero is a test of resilience, especially with Madrid facing three consecutive La Liga games on the road. In his view, the last victory only keeps its value if they back it up. He said the team showed seriousness and good technical-tactical work when they started preparing for Santander, and added that their season objective is to win the championship, not to beat Barcelona once.

Madrid's form gives him a strong base to make that point. They have won five matches in a row, sit on 24 points and are 3rd in La Liga, so this is not a side in trouble. The issue is the schedule. Mourinho called it "an almost unique situation" to have four consecutive away matches, with Santander and Valencia flagged as especially dangerous.

Racing's home edge

Racing have reasons to feel confident about Friday night pressure of their own. José Alberto López said the club had waited 15 years for nights like this, while Iván Martín said El Sardinero gives them 60% or 70% more chances of winning than the Bernabéu. Mourinho also pointed to Racing's home connection with their fans and their specific style of play.

The numbers at home back up the threat. Racing are unbeaten in La Liga at El Sardinero this season, with three wins and two draws, and they are 14th in the table. Madrid can still lean on a strong overall record, with 8 wins from their 10 league matches, but Mourinho's warning is that a good run becomes fragile fast if they drift into the wrong kind of away game.

The meeting is set for Racing Santander vs Real Madrid, and the next step is simple enough for Madrid. Keep the intensity, manage the road trip, and do not let the Barcelona result become the main story.

FAQ

Why is Mourinho warning Real Madrid about Racing Santander after beating Barcelona?

Mourinho says the Barcelona win only matters if Real Madrid back it up against Racing Santander. He pointed to the away run, the need for resilience and the importance of keeping the same concentration and motivation after the Clasico.

Are Real Madrid still in the La Liga title race after beating Barcelona?

Yes. Real Madrid are three points behind Barcelona in La Liga, have won five matches in a row and sit on 24 points. Mourinho's point is that the title chase stays alive only if they handle the next away games properly.

How dangerous is Racing Santander's home form for Real Madrid?

Mourinho described Racing as a team with a strong connection to their fans, and Racing are unbeaten at home in La Liga this season with three wins and two draws at El Sardinero. Iván Martín also said the venue gives them far better odds than the Bernabéu.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →