Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has insisted that coach Jose Mourinho is "a leader" ahead of Saturday's El Clasico against Barcelona in La Liga.

Alonso also praised Mourinho's more direct, counter-attacking style of football as opposed to Barcelona's short passing, pressing game.

"He's a leader," AS quotes Alonso as saying. "When you have a group that supports a coach and believes in his ideas; that is being a leader. For me he is one of the best in the world.

"Our game is not tiki-taka. Our goal is clear - the opponent. We make rapid transitions from defence to attack, with deep passes that create many chances. Our football is more than just circulating the ball to be able to create a scoring chance."

Real are third in La Liga, 16 points behind leaders Barca and four points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Written by
Matt Domm