Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Mourinho refusing to speak to press?

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka will speak to the media ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona.

As announced on Real's official website, Karanka will answer questions in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday along with Madrid striker Karim Benzema at the Nou Camp at 1930 (local time).

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho, who was sent off in the first leg as Madrid lost 2-0 at the Bernabeu, caused a huge controversy with his comments in both press conferences before and after last week's match.

Prior to the game he hit out at opposite number Pep Guardiola and then following his side's defeat he implied Barca receive favourable treatment from referees and claimed the Catalan club had yet to win a "clean" Champions League title under Guardiola.

UEFA subsequently announced various charges against Mourinho, Madrid and Barca following the ill-tempered clash, while Barca also reported Mourinho to European football's governing body regarding his comments.

The five charges against Madrid are related to the throwing of missiles, a pitch invasion, Pepe's red card, the dismissal of Mourinho and the "inappropriate statement" given by the Portuguese coach at the post-match press conference.

Barca, who won the game thanks to a pair of Lionel Messi strikes, face just one charge after substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto was shown a red card during the half-time melee.

UEFA reject Real, Barca protests

UEFA have rejected both Real Madrid and Barcelona complaints made following last week's ill-tempered Champions League tie.

Madrid announced last Thursday evening that they were reporting the Spanish champions to UEFA for "unsportsmanlike behaviour" - soon after Barca confirmed they were reporting the capital club's coach Jose Mourinho for his post-match comments following the visitors' 2-0 semi-final first leg win at the Bernabeu.

UEFA's disciplinary committee will on Friday examine five charges against Madrid - including one relating to Mourinho's sending-off and another in regard to his post-match comments - and one charge against Barca following substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto's red card during a half-time melee.

However, European football's governing body has announced that no new charges will be levelled at either club.

A UEFA statement read: "UEFA has announced today that the vice-chairman of the UEFA control and disciplinary body, as a judge sitting alone, has rejected both the protests lodged by Real Madrid CF and the complaint made by FC Barcelona following the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg between the two clubs last Wednesday.

"The protests lodged by Madrid, against the behaviour of the Barcelona players during the match and against the red card shown to Pepe, are rejected.

"In the case of the behaviour of the Barcelona players, it was deemed that there was no common strategy to provoke, while in the case of Pepe, the referee's factual decision is upheld. As a result, Pepe is suspended for the second leg on Tuesday."

Mourinho, who was sent off after protesting against the red card shown to Madrid defender Pepe midway through the second half, said after the match: "Today it's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance.

"I don't understand why. I don't know if it's the publicity of UNICEF [the club's shirt sponsor], I don't know if it's the friendship of [spanish football federation president Angel Maria] Villar at UEFA, where he is vice-president, I don't know if it's because they are very nice, but they have got this power. The rest of us have no chance.

"[barca coach Pep] Guardiola is a fantastic coach, but he has won one Champions League which I would be ashamed to win after the scandal at Stamford Bridge and this year, if he wins it again, it will be after the scandal at the Bernabeu."

Following an extraordinary board meeting at the Catalan club on Thursday afternoon, spokesman Toni Freixa said Barca "want to defend the history, prestige and reputation of our members, fans, players, coaches and directors, who with their hard work and their effort succeeded in winning the Champions League in 2009".

He added: "It's unacceptable that someone questions our titles and our links with UNICEF."

UEFA's statement on Monday continued: "The complaint lodged by Barcelona, against the comments made by Madrid coach Jose Mourinho to the press, was also rejected by the vice-chairman of the control and disciplinary body.

"In this instance, Barcelona have been referred to the proceedings already brought against Mr Mourinho, which will be heard by the control and disciplinary body on Friday, May 6.

"No new disciplinary proceedings are therefore to be opened against Mr Mourinho on the basis of the complaint lodged by Barcelona.

"Both the above decisions are open to appeal within three days of the dispatch of the contested decisions."

Hitzfeld slams "arrogant" Mourinho

Legendary coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has slammed Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho's character and negative tactics.

Hitzfeld has labelled Mourinho as "arrogant", "haughty" and "boorish" while calling his negative tactics "really shameful".

The Switzerland boss, who, like Mourinho, is one of only three managers to win the European Cup with two different clubs, has hit out at the Portuguese ahead of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg in Barcelona, where the hosts hold a 2-0 lead.

"Luckily, Mourinho's destructive tactics, aimed solely at provoking and destroying the opponents' gameplan, did not work (in the first leg)," he reportedly said in German magazine Kicker.

"Such a way of playing does not relate to the demands of Real. It's really shameful for Real Madrid. It harms the good name and image of this legendary club.

"I've met him at UEFA meetings and his behaviour is faithful to his image: arrogant, haughty, chewing gum and somewhat of a boor.

"Barca should make him pay on the pitch."

Hitzfeld won the trophy with both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Ernst Happel and Mourinho are the only others to achieve the feat.

Chhan: Mourinho, still the Special One?

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho faces up to the biggest challenge of his career on Tuesday when the Champions League resumes.

By Marcus Chhan

Two magical Lionel Messi moments left Real trailing 2-0 in their Champions League semi-final tie with Camp Nou still to come.

It has left the 'Special One' with a mountain to climb to reach the final of Europe's finest football competition, but football fans are used to Mourinho miracles by now.

However, this second leg, in my opinion, poses the greatest challenge the Portuguese maestro has ever faced. It is not only Barca that Mourinho has to beat - Real need at least two away goals to stay in the tie - but he also has to restore shine to a reputation which now lies in tatters.

What You Said

We asked our Facebook community if they thought Jose Mourinho can still be considered the Special One. Below are some of your responses.

Faisal Gangat: Yes! Mourinho is the best manager in the history of football.

Akhileshwar Singh Marshall: He is the GREAT ONE.

Chelsea Boy Saha: These scandals can't hurt Mourinho.... He is da Special One Forever.....

Ritwij Maunas ‎:*Special One* are you kidding me! That era at Porto is history now.

Ummer Abdhulkhader: Alex ferguson is King.

Enough column inches have been devoted to the crime against football that was the first leg in Madrid. The much anticipated El Clasico or Hell Clasico as it was later dubbed in the media should have been a great advert for the beautiful game with the two best teams in Spain duking it out.

Yes, Barca's players played a huge part in the farce with their play acting but Mourinho's post-match comments simply went too far. By questioning the integrity of Pep Guardiola's record he put his own reputation in the firing line.

Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Jose Mourinho - but he too has experienced some favourable refereeing decisions during his two Champions League winning runs. The wrongly disallowed Paul Scholes goal for Manchester United against Porto some years back sticks in my memory.

Mourinho being Mourinho probably won't care one bit that legends of the game like Ottmar Hitzfeld - who is one of only three managers to win the European Cup with two different clubs - has labelled the Real coach as "arrogant", "haughty" and "boorish" while calling his negative tactics "really shameful".

Jose Mourinho should care, though. If we can read into his past comments about a desire to one day take over the mantle at Manchester United as true then he must care. United are not a club which subscribe to the values of 'win at all costs'. The Red Devils, and not just in Sir Alex Ferguson's time, have always tried to win games in the right spirit. It is no wonder that club greats like Sir Bobby Charlton have in the past also said that Mourinho's negative tactics would not be welcomed at Old Trafford.

Can Mourinho do it at Camp Nou?

The brilliant tactician that Mourinho is, it wouldn't be the shock of the century if he were to pull out the right result this week.

Early goals. In football, 2-0 leads can sometimes be the most dangerous for a team to have. If Mourinho can somehow get his Madrid team to score early it will put enormous pressure on Barca. It will be interesting to see what the Catalans do if they are pegged back early. If Barca then respond with their natural instinct to attack it will leave Real space to exploit. Who knows what will happen next?

Still the 'Special One'

Mourinho is sometimes like the Sun Tzu of football management. His genius - like the Chinese general - lies in his psychological warfare as much as his tactics.

Whatever the result on Tuesday night in the second leg, I just hope we all get to see a football match worthy of two excellent sides. And, hopefully, in the process a certain 'Special One' decides to resurrect his reputation win, lose or draw.

Mourinho takes blame for defeat

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has accepted the blame for his side's shock home defeat to lowly Real Zaragoza.

Mourinho said a lack of motivation amongst his players at the start as the cause for their downfall.

Three days after their Champions League dreams suffered a huge blow with their semi-final first leg defeat to Barcelona, Madrid saw their already slim hopes of winning the La Liga title all but snuffed out after going down 3-2 to Zaragoza at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho made wholesale changes to the side that lost to Barca, but selected a similar team to the one that had beaten Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at San Mames and Valencia 6-3 at the Mestalla in recent weeks.

Mourinho admitted his side, which included the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Pepe, should have been good enough to win the match, and accepted responsibility for their failure to do so.

The Portuguese also praised Zaragoza for their battling display, which saw Javier Aguirre's men claim an important victory that provisionally lifts them four points clear of the relegation zone.

"Our opponents have fought a lot, for them the points were practically decisive for La Liga survival. In football the difference in mental preparation is important, when one team goes out full of concentration and motivation and the other doesn't, the blame is the coach's, obviously," he said.

Zaragoza had the better of a low-key first half and led 1-0 at the break thanks to Angel Lafita's goal just before the break, and the visitors then went 2-0 up in the 55th minute when Gabi scored from the penalty spot.

Madrid pulled a goal back through Sergio Ramos soon after but a rapid Zaragoza counter-attack in the 77th minute saw Lafita make it 3-1.

Benzema, who also hit the crossbar in the second half, made it 3-2 in the 84th minute but Madrid, who lost Ricardo Carvalho to a second yellow card late on, could not find an equaliser.

Mourinho added: "The team was basically the same that played in difficult games in Bilbao and Valencia, where we won easily and by playing well. But today the coach hasn't been able to sufficiently motivate his players. In the first half we didn't play well.

"The second half was completely different, the second half was good but we gifted three goals to our opponents. They beat us and congratulations to them."

Mourinho also insisted his conscious was "clear" with regards the team he picked, even though he concedes Zaragoza's relegation rivals will not be happy that Madrid lost.

Mourinho, who criticised Sporting Gijon earlier this season for playing a supposedly weakened team against Madrid's title rivals Barcelona, said: "I would understand (the other coaches) even though this team won in Valencia and Bilbao, two very difficult stadiums. The team had more than enough quality to win.

"I have a clear conscience and I've not wanted to gift anything to Zaragoza nor to the rest of the teams that are fighting for survival. When we were losing I sent on first-choice players who were tired, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Marcelo.

"I don't feel that we've gifted anything to Zaragoza but I accept that coaches of other teams could to be very disappointed (with this result). Madrid have tried everything possible to win and you also have to give credit to your opponents."

Mourinho was also asked about his decision to leave top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo out of his squad for tonight's match, which has been viewed by some as a reaction to the critical comments the £80million man made about Madrid's defensive approach to Wednesday's Champions League game with Barca.

Mourinho said: "It was my decision because I had Higuain and Benzema to play. They were both motivated and eager to play 90 minutes. Also, Higuain needs playing time to recover his top form. I also had (Emmanuel) Adebayor and Di Maria on the bench, I had options."

Mourinho set for De Bleeckere reunion

UEFA handed Frank de Bleeckere the task of refereeing Tuesday's Champions League encounter between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

And it's an appointment unlikely to go down well with Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho last week accused referees of favouring the Catalan side after his team went down 2-0 to Barca in the first leg of their semi-final at the Bernabeu.

The Portuguese was enraged by the dismissal of makeshift midfielder Pepe by Wolfgang Stark and afterwards read out a list of officials he believes have made decisions which have benefited Barca in previous years.

De Bleeckere was on that list after opting to send off Thiago Motta in last season's last-four clash between Inter, then managed by Mourinho, and Barca.

Television replays later showed there had been little contact between Motta and Sergio Busquets with the Spain midfielder even peering through his fingers to see what action the referee was taking as he rolled about on the floor.

"I can't say what I feel. I only leave one question. Why?" said Mourinho on Wednesday.

"Why? Ovrebo, Bussaca, Frisk, Stark, De Bleeckere. Why to all these people. Each semi-final always brings the same.

"We're talking about a fantastic football team. So why?"

Tom Henning Ovrebo turned down a number of penalty appeals for Chelsea as Barca knocked out the London club two years ago, Massimo Busacca harshly sent off Arsenal's Robin van Persie in this season's round-of-16 clash and Anders Frisk dismissed Didier Drogba six years ago as Barca came from behind to beat Mourinho's Chelsea.

Nedved refused Mourinho chance

Juventus legend Pavel Nedved has revealed he turned down the chance to play for Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

The midfielder hung up his boots in 2009 but was approached by the Special One about being part of his revolution at Inter.

However, Nedved felt the move would have been a betrayal on his part to the club he has been at since 2001.

"Mourinho courted me constantly and said: come to Inter, I'll make you win the Champions League," Nedved told Mediaset Premium.

"He was convinced that he would take the trophy and he was right.

"But I was and am a Juventino, so I said no. I loved Juventus too much to join Inter.

"I really wish I'd been able to win the Champions League with Juve, but I couldn't do it with another jersey on my back."

Mourinho's Inter side did go on to win the Champions League last season, although the Portuguese manager has since moved on to coach Real Madrid.

Nedved now works as a director at the Turin giants.

Posts must be written in English as a common courtesy to other members and to help the staff better moderate the forum. ***Edited by MauiKane

McManaman: Mourinho safe for now

Ex-Real Madrid midfielder Steven McManaman believes Jose Mourinho has done enough to keep his job at the club beyond the summer.

Mourinho's first season in charge at the Bernabeu has had its fair share of highs and lows. The Portuguese led Real to its first trophy since 2008 when they beat arch rivals Barcelona 1-0 in the final of the Copa del Rey.

However, Barca look set to win La Liga again and the Catalans were responsible for knocking Real out of Europe in midweek. Mourinho was also accused of damaging the club's image with his behaviour over the course of their Champions League semi-final clash with Barca.

McManaman admits Mourinho's future at the club is far from secure, but expects the 'Special One' to be given another season to prove himself further.

"The big question is whether the negative publicity against Real Madrid has damaged them sufficiently to change the manager this summer. I think he'll stay, but only just," McManaman told Keys & Gray on talkSPORT.

"He's made a few enemies, that's fair to say. In Madrid it's all about the prestige of the club, the aura of the club, what's gone on in the past with the [Alfredo] De Stefano's.

"They've always carried themselves very well, they've always been the gentleman's club. The aura has been damaged slightly in Spain but I think it's been damaged more actually across Europe and in the European press.

"I spoke to a few Spanish journalists and they said he's still got the support of the Madrid fans because they won the Copa del Rey and have been sticking it to their arch rivals."

McManaman played for Madrid from 1999 to 2003.

Calderon: Mourinho antics unacceptable

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes Jose Mourinho's recent antics have been "harmful" to the club.

He has also questioned whether the Portuguese will remain at the helm for a second season.

The Madrid boss courted controversy in the wake of last week's Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Barcelona by claiming, among a host of other barbed accusations, that the opposition received favourable treatment from UEFA.

Mourinho was suspended for Tuesday night's return leg at the Nou Camp, which ended in a 1-1 draw to send Barca through to the final 3-1 on aggregate, and Calderon claims the actions of the Madrid boss cannot be condoned.

"I think what he did in terms of talking about UEFA and referees is not acceptable at all. It doesn't match with Real Madrid's history," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I assume that he's a very, very good manager, but talking like that has been harmful for Real Madrid."

Mourinho's outburst against UEFA and Barcelona has again called into question the temperament of the mercurial Portuguese, and Calderon is adamant that the world's top clubs and coaches must be able to take defeat with good grace.

"I think big clubs can never blame the referee for their defeats," he said.

"I think the semi-final was over in the first match at the Bernabeu when we lost 2-0.

"We invested 450 million euros in the last two years to build a very important and strong team, so if you lose you can't blame injuries, bad luck, the referee...

"If you lose, you have to congratulate your rival."

Mourinho's failure in the Champions League will almost certainly be followed by defeat in the La Liga title race - Barca lead by eight points with four games remaining - and Calderon insists it is by no means a certainty that the 48-year-old will stay on for another year at the Bernabeu.

"It is difficult to succeed here because people are very demanding," he said. "There's a lot of pressure here.

"He said he's going to [continue] in his position next year, but you never know."

Real Madrid plot £35m Fabregas bid

Real Madrid are hoping to get one over Barcelona with a £35million bid for Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

The tension between the two Spanish giants has reached boiling point following their fiery Champions League semi-final tie.

Now according to The Sun, Madrid president President Florentino Perez has sanctioned a summer offer to prise Fabregas to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 24-year-old has long been linked with a return to home club Barcelona, who are also expected to launch a summer bid for the midfielder after failing to land him last year.

But the Los Blancos are reportedly desperate to get one up on their hated Catalan rivals, who look set to beat them to the La Liga title for the third year running.

And there is no better way - off the pitch at least - than to sign their long-time target.

It's not all about revenge though, as Jose Mourinho sees the Spaniard as a perfect compliment to Xabi Alonso in the heart of the Madrid midfield.

However, Arsenal have already indicated that the asking price for their skipper will be £35million.

Despite the hefty price tag, Madrid, who have spent £400million in the last two summers, are nevertheless unlikely to be put off by that figure.

Meanwhile, there is an air of resignation among the Arsenal fans over the future of Fabregas, who has made his frustration clear over the Gunners' lack of winning mentality.

Barca on brink of another La Liga title

Barcelona could clinch their third successive La Liga title this weekend to cap another wonderful few days for Pep Guardiola's men.

The Catalans completed a 3-1 aggregate victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid on Tuesday night to move into the Champions League final and a meeting with Manchester United - a rematch of their 2009 clash in Rome.

And they could rub Madrid's noses in it further by continuing their domestic dominance.

Should Madrid fail to win at Sevilla on Saturday night, then a Barca win at home to Espanyol a day later will see them claim their 21st Primera Division crown.

Barca's neighbours will be desperate to spoil, or at least delay, the party, however, and also further their hopes of playing in the Europa League next season.

Midfielder Joan Verdu, who can play after the disciplinary committee rescinded a yellow card he received in Monday's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, said: "Barca will win the league and we will also play in Europe.

"It is an important game for us to try to join the party.

"If we didn't think we could compete we would stay here and hand Barca the three points.

"(Lionel) Messi makes the difference for them because he is better than the rest. But if we all help, we can stop him."

Sevilla are also Europa League contenders and striker Alvaro Negredo is confident he can help put one over on his former team at the weekend.

He told Marca: "The team is in good shape. We have worked well throughout the year although we have had our ups and downs.

"We have to stay positive and make sure we come fifth. It is in our hands."

The battle to stay in the Primera Division is more intriguing than the battle to win it.

All the teams from 13th-placed Racing Santander down will be nervous heading into the 35th round of 38 fixtures.

Racing are three points above the bottom three with all still to play for.

Rock-bottom Almeria are on the brink but Hercules and Getafe, who currently reside in the drop zone, will be hopeful of an escape.

Getafe will be particularly confident of beating Almeria on home soil while Hercules host Racing.

Fourth-bottom Deportivo La Coruna go to a Sporting Gijon side just about safe while Osasuna and Malaga both face tricky away trips.

Malaga go to Atletico Madrid and Osasuna meet a Real Zaragoza side also scrapping for their lives.

Valencia and Villarreal are fighting for third place and automatic qualification into the Champions League with the losers having to settle for a spot in the qualifying rounds.

Los Che host Real Sociedad and Villarreal go to Real Mallorca.

In the other game this weekend, Europa League-chasing Athletic host Levante.

Sevilla vs Real Madrid Preview

Marcelo is demanding Real Madrid score first at Sevilla as they look to make a last-ditch attempt to deny Barcelona.

Madrid head south knowing any slip up at the Sanchez Pizjuan could gift arch-rivals Barca their third successive crown.

Should Jose Mourinho's men fail to win then a three-point haul for Barca at home to neighbours Espanyol would settle the title race and complete a wonderful few days for the Catalans, who knocked Madrid out of the Champions League in midweek.

Marcelo is aware the pressure is on and he fears it would increase if sixth-placed Sevilla go in front.

He said: "Playing Sevilla is always a very tough match and I don't think this time is any different.

"They have some very good players. Also, they want to get a place in Europe and we have to make it difficult for them.

"We have to get ahead. We cannot wait for the opponent to score and then chase a result.

"It would be much better to get in front.

"We have to go there and win. While there is still a mathematical chance of us winning the title, we will work hard."

Sevilla boss Gregorio Manzano has several selection concerns with Martin Caceres, Ivan Rakitic, Jesus Navas and Alexis all out while Diego Perotti is doubtful.

Manzano can, at least, call on veteran striker Fredi Kanoute, who returned to training this week.

The former Mali international admits, however, he may be coming to the end of his career in Andalusia.

Kanoute said: "We will see in what direction we go.

"At the end of the season I am going to meet with the president and directors.

"At the moment I am thinking only about Sevilla because I want to finish the remaining games at a good level and then think about what I can do."