Barcelona's Joan Laporta says Real Madrid Clasico loss was very tough

Real Madrid's 2‑1 victory at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday has halved the six‑point gap to Barcelona, reshaping the La Liga title race, while club president Joan Laporta admitted the defeat was very tough for the Catalan side in front of their home crowd.

Real Madrid cut the deficit at Camp Nou

Real Madrid's Los Blancos arrived at the Spotify Camp Nou six points behind their Catalan rivals and secured all three points. Kylian Mbappe netted twice, the second goal arriving late in the match to seal the 2‑1 win, after Raphinha had briefly levelled for Barcelona in the second half. The win also marked Real Madrid’s best performance under Mourinho this season.

While attending Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, Laporta told reporters, “I won’t lie to you, losing the Clasico was very tough.” He noted that Barcelona entered the Sunday encounter with a perfect La Liga record, having won all nine opening matches. The defeat ended Barcelona’s flawless start to the campaign, which had seen them win all nine opening league games.

Jose Mourinho’s side imposed a resolute defensive structure that limited Barcelona’s attacking chances. The tactics frustrated Barça’s usual style of play, and Laporta praised Hansi Flick for his work despite the setback. Mourinho’s side disrupted Barcelona’s momentum, limiting their attacking opportunities throughout the game.

Psychological boost for Madrid

The win delivered an important psychological blow to Real Madrid, changing the outlook of the title race. Mourinho will look for greater consistency in the coming weeks, hoping to close the three‑point gap if Barcelona drop further points. The result also gave Madrid a psychological lift after a period of mixed form.

Laporta also acknowledged that his team struggled to impose their usual style, but he reaffirmed his support for Flick and the squad moving forward. He stressed that the team must maintain focus to regain the lead in the standings.

Barça clearly did not anticipate Mourinho’s plan on Sunday, and the season’s trajectory now remains uncertain as the La Liga race unfolds. Both clubs will look to their next fixtures to solidify their positions.