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MADRID \u2013 Jose Mourinho said the mental strength of his Real Madrid team gave him confidence heading into the derby clash at Atletico Madrid on Sunday despite problems with their game.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIn this second spell I\u2019ve understood that it\u2019s getting \u200bmore and more difficult to hear anything good about Real Madrid. It\u2019s not a problem to be \u200cconscious of our problems. But we are also conscious of the very good things we have in the team,\u201d Mourinho told a press conference on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cAlongside the quality it has, this team has a strength which is very significant, the strength of the group. This gives me confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n The \u200bcity rivals are separated by two points after six LaLiga matches this season.<\/p>\n INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCES<\/p>\n The last Madrid derby that \u200bMourinho took part in as manager was the 2013 Copa del Rey final, an historic victory \u2060for Atletico over Real at the Bernabeu.<\/p>\n Both sides will be seeking to set the tone for the early stages of \u200bthe campaign, aware that last season\u2019s 5-2 victory for Atletico at the Metropolitano was a turning point in the trajectory of \u200bXabi Alonso\u2019s tenure at Real Madrid.<\/p>\n \u201cA derby always has something extra. Derbies are history, culture, passion from the fans, players, coaches,\u201d said Mourinho.<\/p>\n Los Blancos have just one victory in their last seven LaLiga trips to the Metropolitano and, with Barcelona already three points ahead of them, anything \u200bother than a win risks that gap widening. The Catalan side face Sevilla later on Saturday.<\/p>\n Mourinho has started his second \u200bstint at Real Madrid with six wins from seven games, but inconsistent performances have sown seeds of concern about the evolution of his \u200cteam.<\/p>\n In spite \u2060of Diego Simeone\u2019s longevity at Atletico, his side are similarly in the early stages of finding a defined style and shape this season. Over the past three years, 22 new players have been signed by Atletico, giving a sense of continuous flux.<\/p>\n Simeone has been without two of his natural forward options in the early stages of the season due to fitness issues. \u200bAlexander Sorloth is yet to \u200bfeature, and Julian Alvarez has \u2060been limited to 145 minutes of action. A late arrival in the transfer window, Canadian striker Jonathan David made his first start on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Alvarez has missed the last two matches due \u200bto a muscular problem but will play some part on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will be with us, \u200bwe will see \u2060whether that\u2019s from the start or in the second half,\u201d Simeone told a press conference on Saturday.<\/p>\n In terms of his approach to the match, the Argentine manager was keen for his side to limit turnovers of possession, saying Real Madrid carried more threat \u2060on the \u200bcounter-attack in his eyes. Simeone advised his team to play decisively and \u200bwith cool heads.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, football is calmness. The talent, they have it. And above all, conviction. When you have conviction in what you\u2019re doing, it \u200bcan go well or badly but you can sleep well at night,\u201d said Simeone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n