It is October now, a prospect that has José Mourinho chomping at the bit. This is his favourite month, in which he has an almost perfect record. It has been six years since he last lost in the tenth month of the year. Since 2005 – leaving aside 2007, when he was sacked by Chelsea – he has posted six unbeaten Octobers on the bounce, including two with Madrid.

The last time the Portuguese supremo came away empty-handed from a clash in this 31-day month was on 16th October 2004, against Manchester City, then managed by Kevin Keegan. At that time the Manchester club was poles apart from its current high-flying status, and its big star back then was Nicolas Anelka, who netted the winner on the day. It was Mou's first defeat as Chelsea boss, and would be his only reverse in the league that season, in which the West London club ran away with the title.

Mourinho has an impeccable record in the 35 games in October since the City loss: 28 wins and seven draws, a streak spanning his stints at Chelsea (05-06 and 06-07), Inter (08-09 and 09-10) and now Real Madrid (10-11 and 11-12).

The Portuguese coach has enjoyed two stellar Octobers with 'Los Blancos'. In his first year, the month yielded five comfortable wins, including a home triumph over Milan, with the only minor hiccup coming in a draw in Murcia in the Spanish Cup. Last year saw a full house of victories (six) and 20 goals scored in the process, i.e. an average of over three goals a game.