'The football-loving world always stops to watch' – Mourinho on global impact of El Clasico

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has hailed the global appeal of El Clasico, insisting that "the football-loving world always stops to watch" when his side face Barcelona. 

Mourinho's side travel to Camp Nou on Sunday for a crucial clash at the top of LaLiga, with leaders Barcelona currently holding a six-point advantage over their rivals. 

Los Blancos head into the contest on the back of consecutive league victories, having also secured an emphatic 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig last Wednesday. 

Mourinho, meanwhile, is unbeaten in his last five meetings with Barcelona across all competitions as Madrid manager (W3 D2). 

Only two Real Madrid managers have previously gone unbeaten in six or more consecutive Clasicos: Miguel Munoz between 1962 and 1965 (seven wins) and Vicente del Bosque between 2001 and 2003 (W2 D5). 

"Real Madrid-Barcelona means at least two Clasicos per season, sometimes more," Mourinho told reporters.  

"It doesn't matter much who the coaches are; the most important thing is the global dimension of a Clasico, which is unique.  

"There are other important derbies in the world of football, but this one is unique, and usually, the football-loving world stops to watch it. Let it be a great match and may we win." 

While Mourinho expectedly remains confident of a Madrid victory, it is actually Barcelona who have gotten the better of their rivals of late.  

Hansi Flick's side have won their last two home league meetings with Madrid, though they have only managed three consecutive victories in this fixture once in the 21st century, under Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2010. 

When asked whether Sunday's Clasico would be a test to see if his side can win titles, Mourinho was characteristically candid, adding: "No. Madrid with Mourinho wins titles. 

"I feel that Real Madrid is like that. But I only seek to give credit to my players when they do well and accept criticism as a coach when we do less well.  

"That's the history, not only of Real Madrid but of practically all coaches in the world. Players win matches, and coaches lose them; that's a bit of our life."