EL CLASICO:HE QUESTIONED their relationship with Unicef and Uefa, running his way through a catalogue of referees, greeting each name – Stark, Ovrebo, Busacca, De Bleeckere, Frisk – with a simple: "por que?" He provoked their manager into an astonishing, asterisk-splattered rant and inspired their pointed end-of-season celebrations, watching them sing: "Why? Because we're the best, so f*** you!" He even poked their assistant coach in the eye.
Now, Jose Mourinho, who refused to speak to the press last night ahead of today’s ‘El Clasico’, could be on the verge of really hurting Barcelona. It wouldn’t be the first time, or even the first time Real Madrid’s supporters have gloried in his success. But this would be different; this would be theirs.
An image presides over Mourinho’s office at Valdebebas, Madrid’s training complex near Barajas airport. In it Mourinho runs, finger raised, across the Camp Nou pitch after the 2010 Champions League semi-final in which Inter Milan knocked Barca out.
Madrid were grateful to be spared watching Barcelona reach a European Cup final staged at the Santiago Bernabeu. That Mourinho would join them was an open secret; Madrid wanted him to do the same for them. Desperation had set in. Florentino Perez, trophyless in four years as president, saw in Mourinho the only man able to end Barcelona’s dominance – a special one to beat a side many called the best in history.
Signing Mourinho represented a revolution. At times, it was a trauma. Perez’s bet was risky and he was forced to back it heavily, but he may just win in the end.
Last season, Madrid beat Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey. It was the least important of three competitions – Barca won a La Liga and Champions League double – but it was a start and it softened memories of a famous, painful 5-0 defeat in La Liga in November.
Yet there was criticism too: not just of Mourinho’s behaviour – which created a kind of devil/angel dichotomy – but his tactics, which were often seen through the same prism. His approach against Barcelona in La Liga was met as if it was some kind of moral aberration, not just a way of trying to win a game.
Even Alfredo Di Stefano noted that Barcelona had played like “lions” and Madrid like “mice”. Mourinho had demanded an extra striker all year, taking on his own director general in public, but when the Champions League semi-final came, the two he did have didn’t start. It was a compliment to Barca but he didn’t win.
Arguably, there were mistakes: attacking might have been a better bet, while the cards that cost Madrid, if questionable, were a product of their coach’s approach. And, rather than cowing Barcelona, provocation appeared to motivate them.
Yet Mourinho’s conspiratorial discourse provided a justification and the cup was presented as a stepping stone to a challenge on Barcelona. After five successive defeats and a horribly flat draw, winning was possible. Madrid were getting there.
The club bought it. Now, it rings true.
Madrid go into ‘El Clasico’ with six wins in six Champions League matches. They have won their last 15 games by an aggregate score of 57-9. More importantly, they lead Barcelona by three points in La Liga and they have a game in hand. Win ‘El Clasico’ and the lead will effectively be nine.
Definitive? Nearly. A nine-point lead in a league where so few points are dropped is colossal. In the last two years Madrid have topped 90 points and not been champions. Barcelona dropped just 14 points last season, Madrid 22. This season Madrid have dropped five in 14 games. Maintain that rate and they will not be overhauled even if Barca maintain a perfect record until the final day.
There is more combination to Madrid’s game. They average 576 passes per game, compared to 484 last season. There is less dependence on Ronaldo; less, in fact, than Barcelona appear to have on Lionel Messi.
Madrid have taken a step forward on the pitch: 20 metres forward. Their pressure is more advanced, more intelligently applied and more collective; Mourinho has convinced his players of the need for high intensity and colossal effort. Opponents are being asphyxiated. There are also more shots, and better ones too.
Yesterday, the media packed the press room to hear Mourinho speak, hoping for another show. He sent out his number two, Aitor Karanka. There have been no interviews and no fires. There has just been a team preparing for a game that could mark a shift in the power balance in Spain. A manager preparing to do what he came for. Hurt Barcelona. And properly this time.
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Kick-off: Tonight, 9pm On TV: Sky Sports 3
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