Jose Mourinho

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Real Madrid are Copa del Rey champions

Real Madrid have beaten Barcelona 1-0 in the final of the Copa del Rey to lift their first trophy since 2008.

Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time header saw Real Madrid edge out fierce rivals Barcelona in the second 'Clasico' in four days to win the Copa del Rey and seal their first piece of silverware under Jose Mourinho.

The first 90 minutes had ended goalless, with Madrid on top in the opening period and Barca better after the break.

But despite the Catalans' superior possession in extra-time, Mourinho's men looked dangerous on the break and after Ronaldo had angled a low shot just wide, the Portuguese beat Jose Manuel Pinto with a brilliant header following Angel di Maria's pinpoint cross.

Pinto started in goal instead of Victor Valdes, as he had done all the way through the competition.

Meanwhile, Barca captain Carles Puyol was deemed unfit to start following his injury in Saturday night's 1-1 draw at Madrid in the Primera Division, so Javier Mascherano slotted in alongside Gerard Pique in the centre of defence.

Mourinho restored Mesut Ozil to his side after the Germany playmaker began Saturday's draw on the bench.

In this, the second of four Clasico meetings, with a two-legged semi-final to come in the Champions League starting next week, the Portuguese kept faith with Pepe in a three-man midfield shield alongside Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso.

And it worked early on as Madrid pushed back Barcelona, appearing to surprise the Catalans with their dynamic start to the game.

Ronaldo, playing up front as Mourinho opted to leave three strikers - Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Emmanuel Adebayor - on the bench, came close to giving his side the lead after 12 minutes when he beat Pinto from close range but saw Mascherano hack the ball off the line.

Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa was lucky to get away with a clear stamp on David Villa later in the half as things began to turn ugly.

The defender escaped without a caution, but both Pepe and Pedro found their way into the referee's book before the interval as the two teams continued to compete close to the edge.

But in football terms, Madrid had the edge.

Pinto saved well from Ronaldo 10 minutes before the interval, but the stand-in keeper was badly-positioned just before the break and was lucky to see Pepe's header rebound off the post.

But Barca began the second half on the front foot, stepping up a gear following a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

Pedro fired just wide, Lionel Messi blasted over the bar and the Argentina forward was almost set up by Dani Alves as the Catalans found their rhythm.

And they thought they had gone ahead after 68 minutes when Villa, who had not scored for 10 games, latched onto a Messi through-ball after the Argentinian had brilliantly beaten three Madrid players, and slotted a low shot past Iker Casillas, but the assistant's flag was up and the Spain striker's effort was correctly ruled out.

Nevertheless, Barca were dominant now and that looked ominous for Madrid.

Casillas made two fine saves within a minute to deny Messi and then Pedro, while the Argentinian was stopped in his tracks as he looked to waltz through the Madrid defence.

But Madrid weathered the storm and the score remained goalless after 90 minutes.

The first period of extra-time was dominated by Barca, but the best chance fell to Ronaldo, who raced clear down the right flank and charged into the area, only to drive a low angled shot just wide of the target.

But the Catalans failed to heed the warning and five minutes later, they were behind.

Marcelo played a one-two with Di Maria, who then sent a deep, inviting cross into the area searching for Ronaldo, who rose majestically to power home a header at the far post.

Ronaldo should have wrapped it up two minutes before the end, but selfishly kept the ball in the area and his shot was eventually blocked.

The only sour note for Mourinho's men was Di Maria's late dismissal after picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Messi.

But Madrid held on to seal a famous win and end a spell of almost three years without a trophy.

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Mourinho: I am proud of my team

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has admitted it feels good to win titles after their 1-0 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.

Real finally managed to notch their first win over Barcelona since 2008, which coincidentally was the last time they managed any form of silverware: in La Liga.

Since then, Barca have completely dominated Spanish football, but all that came to an end on Wednesday night as Real Madrid defeated them 1-0 in extra time to claim the Copa del Rey.

Mourinho has now won trophies in each of his debut seasons at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real.

Speaking on Real's official website, Mourinho admitted he was exhausted but happy immediately after the game.

"I went to the dressing room to call my family and rest a little."

"I wanted the players to enjoy it. I am tired, but happy."

The Portuguese manager also revealed he enjoys winning trophies, and feels it is his job to bring success whichever team he manages.

"It is always good to win titles."

"Someone called me a 'Title Coach' a few days ago. I like the name."

"That is my job."

Mourinho also deflected suggestions that he was the mastermind behind the victory, crediting everyone at the club for having played a part.

"I am proud of my team, the fans and my people."

In a hot-tempered, tightly-contested affair, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in the first half of extra time, and Mourinho admits he was confident then that Real would go on to claim the cup.

"It was an evenly-fought match. We were better in the first half and they were better in the second."

"The players were very focused and knew what to do. We played our lines tight in extra time and I think Barcelona were a little tired psychologically."

"Whoever scores first in extra time tends to win. It was a great football match."

Mourinho is now shifting his attention onto the upcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between both sides, but insists this victory has no bearing on the mindset his players will have for that tie.

"This match has nothing to do with that we will see in the Champions League. Each will be different."

"We will see what happens between two great teams over the course of two matches. Anything is possible."

Mourinho's cup triumph will be seen by many as vindication after he has been a constant target of criticism by notable footballing figures and the media.

Mourinho, while refusing to name names, feels that he has proven why he is in charge.

"I am very relaxed and very happy right now."

"It is good to start off by winning titles and it lifts a big weight of the players' shoulders, but I have a lot of experience in this and according to the newspapers I should have played with six forwards."

"We played like we played, and did so against a great team, which makes what we did that much better."

Having won both the domestic league and cup in Portugal, England and Italy already, Mourinho will surely be targeting a league victory before he leaves Real to complete his already glittering collection.

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Mourinho: We are a match for Barca

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes his side can win Barcelona in the forthcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final tie.

The Portuguese manager believes Wednesday night's Copa del Rey triumph is testament to that.

Mourinho picked up his first trophy as Real Madrid boss following a hard-fought 1-0 win, which saw his side ride their luck at times before edging out their fierce rivals thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's header in extra-time.

Angel di Maria, who set up the goal for the Portuguese, was later sent off but Madrid held on to give Mourinho a first trophy in Spain.

"I am thrilled to win the Copa del Rey - it is something special," Mourinho said after the game.

"It's a fantastic triumph against a great team like Barcelona - and we deserved it."

Mourinho's men were humbled by Barca in his first Clasico, a 5-0 drubbing at the Nou Camp in late December.

But a 1-1 draw at home to the Catalans in La Liga renewed optimism and Mourinho believes this triumph shows his team can match the Spanish champions.

"We can take them on over two games; we have just done that," he said.

"There is no reason we can't beat them in the Champions League because we have just drawn once against them and then beaten them."

And the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach says the Copa del Rey is just the beginning for this Madrid side.

"I came here to do a job and change the mentality of the club," he said.

"We have started to do that and it's satisfying - but it's just the start."

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane, the last man to score a winning goal for Madrid in a cup final - during the 2002 Champions League final - echoed those sentiments.

"This is an important trophy because it's the first trophy in a long time and the club needed it," the Frenchman, now a special advisor at Madrid, told reporters after the game.

"Now it will give us confidence for the games against Barcelona."

Ronaldo, the matchwinner said he knew the first goal would prove crucial.

"We knew that whoever scored first would win it - and so it proved," he said.

"Mourinho has given us a winning spirit and this is a really important trophy for us - it was an objective we had for this season and we have achieved it."

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was philosophical in defeat after losing his first final as coach of the Catalan club.

"It's always better to win than to lose," Guardiola said after the game.

"But life is like that - you can't always win."

Despite failing to beat Madrid in their two meetings in the last few days Guardiola is adamant his side can bounce back.

"We will pick ourselves up - of course we will," he said.

"We are more sad than if we had won, but that's part of the game.

"These players have been playing together for a long time and we'll bounce back."

Midfielder Xavi added: "We still have the best two titles to play for."

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Real Madrid's objective now is to win the Champions League - Florentino Perez after Copa del Rey triumph over Barcelona

Club president is over the moon with the Spanish giants’ first major trophy since 2008 and wants his players to focus on conquering Europe

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is delighted with their Copa del Rey conquest insists his side are now targeting the Champions League crown.

The nine-time European kings defeated Barcelona 1-0 after extra-time in the final of the Copa del Rey in Valencia on Wednesday evening.

It is Madrid’s first triumph in the cup competition since 1993 and Perez is overjoyed to have won the one trophy he had been absent in his stint as president of the Spanish giants.

“I am delighted partly because it was the only cup that I had not won,” Perez told reporters after the game.

“I won the Champions League, the Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup [in my first spell in charge].”

Referring to Madrid’s defeat in the final of the Copa in 2002 and 2004, he enthused: “I only lacked the Copa del Rey and it is third time lucky for me.”

The 64-year-old then went on to analyse the contest, which was decided by Cristiano Ronaldo's header in extra-time.

"In the first half, we were the better team, but they [barcelona] were better in the second. We went missing in the second half, but Di Maria could have scored and Ronaldo too," he said.

"Playing a game in a final is always special, and against Barcelona, there was a bit of tension. But football is the real winner here as it has been a great 'fiesta'. Millions of spectators have enjoyed this with us, and Spanish football is to be congratulated."

Perez now wants his Madrid team to maintain the momentum and conquer Europe this term.

“Now we have to get the final of the Champions League and win it – that would denote a good season,” he declared.

Madrid will take on the arch-rivals Barcelona in the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition with the first-leg to be held at the Bernabeu next week.

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Played

20 April 2011 20:30:00 BST

Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia

Referee:‬ Alberto Undiano‎

Attendance:‬ 55000‎

José Pinto Colorado

22

27

7.5

Given the nod after playing in every Copa game, and looked smart to get down and block a Ronaldo strike before half-time. Was the hero for his team in the last minute of normal time, producing a stunning block from Di Maria's deflected strike. Also denied Adebayor instinctively in extra-time, but had no chance for Ronaldo's winner.

Daniel Alves

19

33

6.5

Was unusually subdued in the first half, rarely venturing into opposition territory, and his team lacked attacking verve on the right flank as a result. Much better in the second-half, though, setting up Messi for a good opening, and also performing a perfectly-timed challenge to deny Ronaldo near the end. Caught off guard for the winner, allowing Di Maria to get in behind him to cross.

Gerard Piqué

14

37

6.5

Looked uncomfortable for spells of the first-half, and Madrid's formation appeared to unsettle him, as he appeared unsure who to mark. Improved his understanding with Mascherano as the match progressed, pushed forward in desperate search of an equaliser, but could not rally his side into a penalty shoot-out.

Adriano

4

39

6.0

Continues to improve at full-back, but enjoyed a difficult period in the first-half as Madrid looked to gain ground on his side of the pitch. Remained resilient, but couldn't produce anything positive for his side at either end of the pitch in extra-time as Madrid took the spoils.

Javier Mascherano

9

37

6.0

Lunged in on Ronaldo within 60 seconds, but recovered from some shaky moments to make some vital interceptions in his adapted defensive role. Hooked a Ronaldo shot off the line early on in the contest, but was caught for pace by the Portuguese on occasion as Madrid counter-attacked in extra-time.

Xavi

20

35

6.0

Nowhere his influential best as Madrid closed quickly to limit his passing options. So used to having a number of team-mates to feed, his creativity was stunted and he toiled to get involved in the contest. Improved slightly in the second half, but display was symptomatic of an off-colour, jaded display from his team as a whole.

Sergio Busquets Burgos

5

37

6.0

Made some uncharacteristic errors in possession early on that put his team under pressure. Couldn't quite impose his presence in the centre as he has so often does, against the physicality of Pepe, and was eventually sacrificed as Barca sought an equaliser.

Andrés Iniesta Luján

15

36

6.5

Showed some moments of great skill after what was a scrappy first-half, and began to dictate the match as Madrid grew tired. Drove his side into the contest as they searched for a goal, and his mis-hit shot almost created a winning goal in the 90th minute. After his team fell behind, though, couldn't lift them once more in order to level the match.

Pedro

17

34

6.5

Struggled to make any headway on either flank in a disappointing opening 45 minutes, but started the second well, fizzing a strike just wide of the target. Scored but was correctly adjudged to be leaning in an offside position. Lobbed effort almost caught out Casillas.

Lionel Messi

33

56

6.0

Glimpses of skill were intermingled with frustration as Madrid performed a stringent man-marking job on him and stifled his forward momentum. Grew into the contest, however, and his wonderful pass set-up Pedro, who had just run offside. Drilled shot stung the gloves of Casillas, but never looked to be at his irrepressible best.

David Villa

15

41

5.5

Switched flanks with Pedro as Barca looked to find space, but his touch remains slightly off and is clearly short of confidence. Got involved in an incident with Arbeloa in the first-half, but otherwise, was a periphery figure at his former stomping ground.

• Substitutions

Seydou Keita

8

29

N/A

Given the second half of extra-time but could not inject the energy into the side to bring about a comeback.

Ibrahim Afellay

9

23

N/A

Thrown on in extra-time to be a hero, but could not create a moment of glory.

Real Madrid Real Madrid

Iker Casillas

86

4

7.5

An absolute spectator in the first-half, barely touching the ball as Barca failed to threaten. But was called into action twice in the space of 60 seconds after the break, denying Messi low to his right, and then scooping a Pedro lob around the post. Most vital save came from Iniesta, however, stooping low to palm the midfielder's effort around the post.

Marcelo

69

4

7.0

Had no problem keeping Pedro at bay when the winger drifted onto his flank, but lost possession too often in the final third in the first half. His attacking runs were negligible in the second period as Barca completely dominated, but stuck to his duties well, and linked with Di Maria to create Ronaldo's winner.

Ricardo Carvalho

64

2

7.5

Comfortably kept the Barca attack at bay in the first-half when Madrid were the better side, but was put under more pressure in the second as his side fell deeper into their own territory, and his defending became more last-ditch as Barca's influence increased. However, he was the leader that Mourinho needed him to be, and kept a wonderful clean sheet.

Sergio Ramos

57

6

6.5

Shifted into the centre due to Albiol's suspension, and gave a typically committed display, aggressive in the challenge and resolute in pressing Barca effectively. Not always perfect position-wise, but forever willing to keep the opposition at bay.

Ãlvaro Arbeloa Coca

49

6

6.5

Pedro and Villa interchanged regularly onto his flank, but the reliable full-back kept both of them at bay. An unnoticed stamp on Villa could have been given stern punishment, but he survived and remained a key part of a strong Madrid back-line.

Pepe

57

3

7.0

Formed part of the midfield three, as he did on Saturday, but an early booking seemed to curtail his all-action approach slightly, and a silly lunge on Busquets before half-time was fortunate to go unpunished. Thunderous header crashed off the inside of Pinto's post, and although tired in the second, played a key role once more against their rivals.

Xabi Alonso

59

4

6.5

A better showing from the Spanish international after his ineffective display at the weekend. He doubled up on Lionel Messi alongside Pepe to good effect, and although his set plays were desperate, his all-round performance was an accomplished one. Like Pepe, though, a booking curbed his enthusiasm in the tackle.

Sami Khedira

69

7

7.0

The German remained disciplined in his position in the midfield three, maintaining a tight unit with Alonso and Pepe, and sporadically burst forward with limited effect. Worked extremely hard throughout Barca's supremacy, though, and was an unsung hero on the night.

Mesut Özil

85

12

7.0

In a scrappy opening 45 minutes, the German was the only player to show any refinement. Glorious flick sent Khedira clear, then his sublime lofted pass should have been converted by Ronaldo. Glorious cross then set up Pepe's unfortunate header, and although he typically faded, every touch of the ball was considered and creative. Surprisingly replaced with 20 minutes remaining.

Ãngel Fabián Di María

72

8

7.0

Wasteful in possession in the opening stages, often selecting the wrong option in attack, and squandered good openings by displaying a slight lack of awareness. However, almost won the match in the dying embers of normal time, and his well-executed one-two with Marcelo helped create space for a stunning cross to feed Ronaldo. Sent off near the end, but can celebrate his first honour in Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo

106

13

7.0

Employed essentially as Madrid's furthermost attacking threat, but despite showing electric pace and movement, was wasteful in front of goal. Squandered three first-half chances, and was only able to test Pinto was one of them. Made no mistake, though, with a fabulous header in extra-time which gave his side the trophy.

• Substitutions

Ezequiel Garay

31

4

N/A

Thrown on in the closing stages to waste time and bring the trophy to the capital.

Esteban Granero Molina

32

2

N/A

Replaced Khedira after Ronaldo scored to inject some fresh legs into the Madrid midfield.

Emmanuel Adebayor

44

4

6.0

Thrown on at the 70-minute mark, and was left to chase possession for much of his tie on the pitch, and could have clinched the win but saw his shot blocked by Pinto.

[madristar]

Relentless Real Madrid leave Barcelona looking one-dimensional

In one of the most fascinating contests of the season so far, hard-working Madrid finally got one over on their eternal rivals - and it could be the start of something great

COMMENT

By Ewan Macdonald

Jose Mourinho's side have now won him his first Spanish trophy and, barring a premature move back to England, on the strength of this performance there surely must be more to come.

The Bernabeu outfit weathered a Barcelona renaissance in the second half, but overall brought pride to a Real Madrid shirt that all too often in recent history has been a symbol of expensive underachievement, ill-discipline and lack of bite.

None of these negative qualities were on display at the Mestalla on Wednesday evening. Madrid - lean, hungry, and tactically balanced - were drilled to near-perfection by Mourinho, and although their goal didn't come until extra-time it's hard to deny that it was merited.

As usual, Jose kept pundits and fans guessing until shortly before kick-off as to his plans. In the end his line-up, on paper, appeared to be a pseudo-4-3-3 with a false nine. In actuality the midfield was a good bit more fluid, and Ronaldo so advanced as to pass for a centre-forward, and as such the attacking line was somewhat conventional.

GOOD NIGHT

Jose Mourinho

Yet again the Portuguese tactician showed his undoubted genius. Of course there were nervy moments, but whether pressing or sitting back, Madrid seldom looked overwhelmed.

Mesut Ozil

He only lasted 70 minutes, and that's a concern. Everything else he did, though, verged on the brilliant. Two of his first-half passes were the stuff of highlight reels. If he can improve his fitness the sky's the limit.

Iker Casillas

In the aforementioned nervy moments, it fell to San Iker to show his old self and ensure Madrid remained in a position to grab the winner. To see him hoist the trophy aloft one-handed was a delight.

BAD NIGHT

David Villa

Yes, his game isn't all about goals, and he spends as much time on the wings as he does facing the opponents' 'keeper these days. Even with that granted, his was a terrible showing. Lacks a shred of confidence.

Sergio Busquets

Guardiola could have put Busquets at centre-back and Mascherano in midfield. He did the opposite - as would most others in his position. It did not pay off, though, as Busquets struggled to be the calming, productive, understated influence he usually is.

Pep Guardiola

The coach's famous humility is never in question, and he would be the first to congratulate Real Madrid for a job well done. But in private, his mental strength simply must have taken a hit - the alternative is impossible. Now to rebuild before next Tuesday...

But where this team really excelled in the early periods was off the ball. Pepe - give or take a fairly monstrous challenge on Lionel Messi that was lucky to go uncarded - was not merely the stereotypical roving defensive midfielder. Instead he juggled places with Xabi Alonso, often playing an advanced role while also jostling with a harassed-looking Lionel Messi whenever the chance came. The back line was similarly well-drilled in nullifying Pedro, who had joy on neither flank, and David Villa, whose evening was singularly unhappy.

In possession the go-to option was Mesut Ozil, and he repaid this faith with some truly stunning high through balls and crosses - the kind of service that none of Barcelona's usual impresarios could provide until the second period.

In fact Madrid's style - full of pressing and energy in the first half and swift, decisive attacks thereafter - was a very accurate reflection of Pep Guardiola's fears. The Barcelona coach had warned before Saturday's Clasico that "in three touches they have already reached the goal", and thus it proved as Angel di Maria won the game with a deft cross that found Barcelona stranded halfway up the pitch, and Ronaldo ready to score the kind of header he just seems to relish in finals.

Even during Barcelona's ascendancy, midway through the second half, the capital outfit were able to rest relatively easy. Much of this was due to the rediscovered form of Iker Casillas, who is showing similar form to that which made him the undisputed world's best circa 2007. A defence which, let one not forget, was makeshift also gave a good account of itself, keeping a tight line to render Pedro offside in Barcelona's one truly Barcelona-esque chance of the second period. (Javier Mascherano, the reluctant centre-back at the other end, cut the opposite type of defensive figure when Cristiano Ronaldo was put through for a spurned chance not long before the end of the 90.)

It is curious, though, just how few of Casillas's contributions came after Ronaldo's goal. One would expect that, going one down, Barcelona would pour forward in earnest - an advance to provoke similar levels of fear in opponents as might the rumble of Genghis Khan's horde towards a farming village. But while Guardiola's side did open up, they created remarkably few chances of note, Lionel Messi more often than not reaching dead ends, while on the rare occasions that Barcelona could swing a cross in there was no Ronaldo waiting to meet it.

In short, Madrid combined a fine tactical footing with considerable guts and grit. The stereotypes of overpaid, overpampered, underachieving galacticos will take more than one middling trophy to dispel, but a step down that road was taken tonight. Cristiano Ronaldo could have let his head drop after two regular-time misses that were, frankly speaking, awful, but instead remained composed to land the winner. That, above all else, exemplifies that this current team can now match Barcelona for spirit - a not inconsiderable feat.

It cannot be overstated how much of this is down to Jose Mourinho. It's certainly true that Manuel Pellegrini, the previous Bernabeu incumbent, was capable of bringing out some good performances from his players, most notably in the league. But when push invariably turned to shove, the men in white could not remain standing. Now they can - and the pressure is on Pep Guardiola to show that his side can recover from their first major domestic setback since he took charge.

[madristar]

Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano slams Jose Mourinho's tactics against Barcelona

Bernabeu legend and honorary club president believes that Pep Guardiola’s side demonstrated a gulf in class at the weekend, insisting their rivals were ‘simply brilliant’

By Salvatore Landolina

18 Apr 2011 15:23:00

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Real Madrid honorary president Alfredo Di Stefano has lauded rivals Barcelona as a 'superior' side, insisting that Pep Guardiola's side exposed the gulf in class at the weekend.

The first of four clasico's ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening as Madrid came from behind to share a point with Barca at the Bernabeu.

Nonetheless, Di Stefano feels Jose Mourinho has not been able to tame Barcelona's brilliance as the Catalan outfit remain eight points ahead in the race for the title.

And with the two sides set to lock horns in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night, the former legendary forward believes Mourinho's side lack the personality to overthrow Guardiola's league leaders.

"The football Barcelona played at the Bernabeu was simply brilliant. Their superiority was clear," said Di Stefano, reports Sport.es.

"Madrid played against a Barcelona side who dominated throughout the whole game. It's clear Barca are superior to Madrid who are a team with no personality.

"Their approach was clearly wrong."

The Copa del Rey final will be played at the Mestalla on Wednesday evening.

[madristar]

Mourinho’s ‘top’ 10 – how Jose’s sides excel with a man down

Portuguese tactician usually gets the best out of his team - even when they are a man light, as they were in Saturday's Clasico encounter with Barcelona

It was a case of deja vu for Jose Mourinho. Raul Albiol’s 52nd minute dismissal in last night’s Clasico left the Portuguese with a problem: his side were a man down and quickly went a goal down as Lionel Messi converted from the penalty spot. Anything but a defeat seemed unlikely after that. But Mourinho had been here before.

Indeed, the 'Special One’ had even predicted his side would have a man sent off.

“I have to train with 10 men because it already happened to me with Chelsea and it happened with Inter,” he had said in the build-up to the match.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Madrid came back to win a point and some pride thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s late spot-kick. With three more Clasico clashes to come, it was a moral victory for Madrid. And Mourinho once again proved that 10 can be just as effective as 11.

In many ways, last night’s match was a contrast of styles; Barcelona set out to dictate the rhythm with their slick passing game, while Madrid opted for a high tempo and sought to do damage on the counter-attack.

Before the match, Barca coach Pep Guardiola had described Madrid as the best counter-attacking team in the world, and the Barca coach must have been wary as Albiol saw red. For he too had been here before. A year earlier, Mourinho’s Inter side edged out Guardiola’s Barca team to seal passage to the Champions League final following a 1-0 defeat at Camp Nou. The Italian team protected their 3-1 lead from the first-leg despite Thiago Motta’s 28th-minute dismissal.

After that game, Mourinho revealed an interesting tactic: "We didn't want the ball because when Barcelona press and win the ball back, we lose our position - I never want to lose position on the pitch so I didn't want us to have the ball, we gave it away."

But last night was different. This time, Mourinho’s side were at home and this time, there was no lead to defend; they needed a goal.

The sending-off effectively changed little, however. Madrid’s counter-attacking style works better – as any system would – with 11 than with 10, but can be quickly adapted to function with a man down. Barca had more space, but they were still vulnerable to Madrid’s rapid breaks and the Catalans were never allowed to feel comfortable against their rivals’ intense tactics.

Mourinho pioneered the system, which he called pressao alta (high pressure) at Porto, and he has been perfecting it ever since.

Man down | Jose Mourinho predicted that his side would be reduced to 10 men against Barca

His Madrid side found themselves a man down within a minute at Espanyol earlier this season after Iker Casillas was sent off, but Mourinho’s men went on to completely dominate against one of the league’s (then) form teams and ended up winning 1-0.

In his second season at Inter, Mourinho saw his side hold on for a creditable 1-1 draw at Rubin Kazan in the Champions League group stages after playing the final half an hour with 10 men and the Portuguese also avoided defeat with nine men in a Serie A match at home to Sampdoria. Then, both Walter Samuel and Ivan Cordoba had seen red in the first half.

And they did even better against fierce rivals AC Milan. A man down from the 29th minute, when Wesley Sneijder was sent off, the champions cruised to a 2-0 triumph over their biggest rivals in a Serie clash in January of last year, and Lucio was also dismissed in the last minute, leaving Inter with nine on the pitch at the final whistle.

"We would have only lost if there were six Inter players left on the pitch. Everything was done to

"With three more Clasico clashes to come, it was a moral victory for Madrid, and Mourinho once again proved that 10 can be just as effective as 11"

stop Inter winning this game but we were perfect,” the Portuguese said after the game. Familiar story - similar outcome. Against Barca, though, Mourinho has found it more difficult.

Apart from the 5-0 defeat at Camp Nou earlier this season, in which Sergio Ramos was sent off late on, games between Mourinho sides and the Catalans have invariably been close.

Didier Drogba was sent off as Mourinho’s Chelsea side lost 2-1 at Barcelona in the Champions League knockout stages back in 2005, although that proved to be a decent result as the Blues overcame the Catalans in the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

A year later, though, Mourinho suffered a rare home defeat after Asier del Horno was dismissed in a 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea took the lead despite going a man down, but a John Terry own goal and a late Samuel Eto’o header swung the tie in Barca’s favour.

“11 against 10 – it’s almost mission impossible against the best team in the world,” Mourinho said last night. And ‘the Special One’ expects more of the same in the upcoming Clasico matches.

“We will have to train with 10 men again. I’m tired of playing with 10 men against Barcelona. I hope to have the opportunity to play against a Barcelona team with 11 men,” he added.

Whether that will happen or not in the next three Clasico encounters is impossible to say. But either way, Mourinho will be prepared.

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Copa del Rey triumph is the beginning of Real Madrid's recovery - Jorge Valdano

Spanish giants’ leader delighted to see "young side" beat Barcelona to win first trophy in three years, and believes the success could signal the start of a new era for the club

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano is delighted with their Copa del Rey triumph on Wednesday evening and is hopeful that the conquest catapults them back into glory.

A Cristiano Ronaldo goal in extra-time saw the capital outfit defeat Barcelona 1-0 in the final in Valencia, Madrid’s first domestic cup conquest since 1993 and their first major trophy since 2008, and Valdano is enthusiastic about the prospect that it could herald a new era of success

“Congratulations to the players. They had to give their all in this game,” said Valdano, according to Spanish daily AS. “Hopefully this is the beginning of Madrid's recovery.”

Wednesday’s game against Pep Guardiola’s team was the second time in less than a week that Madrid had come up against their arch-rivals. On Saturday evening, Jose Mourinho’s team could only muster a 1-1 draw at home to remain eight points behind Barcelonaat the top of the Primera Division.

However, Valdano believes that the last two matches show the development of the team and said: “The two games have served to measure ourselves. We are a young side and we are looking for a bright future.”

Madrid and Barcelona will confront each other in the semi-finals of the Champions League, with the first-leg scheduled to be held at the Bernabeu next week.

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Mourinho: I don't have a magic potion

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists he has "no magic potion" when it comes to beating Barcelona.

The La Liga rivals are preparing to go head to head for a place in the Champions League final.

In a typically frank pre-match press conference, Mourinho also revealed he had quoted Albert Einstein to his players and hit out at Barca counterpart Pep Guardiola regarding referee comments.

Madrid host Barca in the first leg of the semi-final at the Bernabeu on Wednesday - the third of four Clasicos in 18 days - and Mourinho will be looking to get the upper hand over his former side once again.

At the same stage of last season's competition, Mourinho helped Inter Milan knock out Barca, while last week the Portuguese guided Madrid to victory over Guardiola's men in the final of the Copa del Rey.

That 1-0 triumph at the Mestalla saw Madrid pick up their first trophy in almost three years and ended a six-game run without a win over Barca.

However, with November's 5-0 mauling at the Nou Camp - Mourinho's heaviest defeat as a coach - still fresh in the memory, the Madrid boss was keen to temper expectations.

"I don't have a magic potion to beat Barcelona," he said. "I work very hard and very seriously, and I spend many hours trying to help the people around me, but a few months ago we lost 5-0 and I was also the manager then.

"We played a good match (against Barca) at the Bernabeu in the league and we also played a good match in Valencia, but tomorrow [Wednesday] we are facing a top opponent with a top coach."

Mourinho has already impressed on his side the importance of the adage 'where there's a will there's a way', though.

He said: "I told my players there was someone called Albert, Albert Einstein, who said that there is a force more powerful than steam, electricity and atomic energy - will. And this guy Albert was not stupid. With will you can achieve things."

Madrid's cup final win, combined with Barca's injury problems in defence, led Guardiola to suggest at the weekend that his side were underdogs heading into the game.

However, Mourinho dismissed that, saying: "For me there are no favourites. It's the Champions League semi-finals - two rivals teams who know each other very well. Two teams with long traditions, two teams whose players who know what it is to be successful, who know how to win things and play big matches.

"Maybe tomorrow [Wednesday] after the match people will say that perhaps one team is slightly ahead of the other, but at the moment before playing the match, my opinion is there are no favourites."

Mourinho also feels that last week's cup final win over Barca will have no bearing on Wednesday's game, adding: "We are the same as if we hadn't won the cup. It was great to beat them but after the final we were already preparing for the league match against Valencia (at the weekend).

"Each competition is independent of the other and each match has its own story.

"It's the Champions League. We have to give our best without being influenced by what happened before."

Mourinho did admit his side will be facing a "top" team in Barca, but did not go as far as to agree with suggestions from some quarters that the Catalan side - who have won an incredible eight trophies since Guardiola took charge in 2008 - are the best team ever.

"I don't know," he said. "They're a great team, for sure. The best team ever? I don't know."

The former Porto, Chelsea and Inter boss also took a swipe at his opposite number following Guardiola's comments at the weekend that Mourinho would be happy if Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca was the official for Wednesday's first leg, as was initially rumoured to be the case.

German Wolfgang Stark was later confirmed to be the referee for the match.

When quizzed on the subject, Mourinho hit out at the Barca boss, saying Guardiola had created a new group of coaches - one that criticises officials when they make correct decisions.

"Up until now we've had two groups of coaches," he said. "[There's] a very small group who didn't talk about referees. Then there's a larger group, of which I'm included, of coaches that criticises referees when they make big mistakes."

Referring to an incident in last week's cup final, Mourinho continued: "And with Pep's statements we've come to a third group, which is a one-person group, who criticises good decisions made by the referee. I've never seen this before."

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Actually HE HIMSELF is the potion

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Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Key Battles

We look at which match-ups could shape the Champions League semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

With Barcelona set to claim this season's La Liga title, and Real Madrid having got one over their bitter rivals with a win in the Copa del Rey final, this Champions League semi-final is the best opportunity for either team to assert their superiority over the other.

So, which side will put one foot into the final at Wembley on May 26?

Gonzalo Higuain vs Gerard Pique

Fresh from a hat-trick at third-placed Valencia over the weekend, Higuain showed why despite the abundance of attacking talent at the Santiago Bernabeu, he is still coach Jose Mourinho's first choice striker.

The Argentinian is deceptively fast, but his greatest strength lies in his movement and his finishing ability. Higuain has an uncanny knack of drifting away from his marker unnoticed, before taking up excellent positions in the box. When his team-mates find him with a pass, he has the composure needed to finish.

This is why it will be imperative that Pique does not let the Argentine hitman out of his sight. The Spanish centre-back has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world since arriving at the Nou Camp with his strength and ball-playing ability.

However, his only drawback is his lapses in concentration in times, and he can be troubled by the niftiest of strikers. Keep an eye out on Higuain for 90 minutes, and it will go a long way in helping Victor Valdes keep a clean sheet. Let Higuain out of his sights for just a moment, and Barca may find themselves chasing the game.

Xabi Alonso vs Xavi

The battle of the midfield generals. Xabi Alonso vs Xavi will be a captivating duel in the middle of the park.

Alonso normally has his way in his holding midfield position, with the likes of Sami Khedira and Lassana Diarra winning the ball, before handing it off to him to initiate proceedings. However, you get the feeling Alonso will need to do his fair share of defensive work opposite Xavi.

Xavi is easily one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He rarely looks in a hurry, but he never delays when he sees an opening, and his incisive passes more often than not lead to goals for the likes of Messi and company.

This may not exactly be a direct duel in the middle of the park between Alonso and Xavi. But in what is likely to be a creative head-to-head, whoever gets more of the ball will get increased opportunities to put their vision and passing ability to full use.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Dani Alves

It's always difficult to pinpoint who Ronaldo's direct opponent will be. The truth is, he normally does not have one.

His movement between both flanks and through the centre, as well as the free role afforded to him by Mourinho means it is almost impossible to man-mark him. However, make no mistake that the Portuguese star will play on the left flank at some point of time during the match. And that could bring him face to face with Barca's right-back Dani Alves.

It is no secret that Alves definitely prefers to attack more than defend, and for good reason. He has great pace, dribbling prowess, and the ability to whip in a delightful cross for his forward to feed on. However, his ability going forward has masked the fact that in recent time, he has improved his defending.

Still, Alves is prone to having the odd iffy moment. In the quarter-final of the competition, he twice played in Shakhtar attackers with under-hit back passes. On both occasions, Valdes recovered to negate the danger. Do that again on Wednesday night, and Alves can be sure Ronaldo will punish him.

Iker Casillas vs Lionel Messi

It does seem odd matching up a forward against a goalkeeper, especially when you expect someone like Ricardo Carvalho to spend more time against Messi.

However, no matter how tight a leash Carvalho and his colleagues at the back keep Messi on, you cannot deny that the Argentine is going to have a few shots on goal and test the keeper.

Which means there will be a number of occasions where the only thing standing between Messi and putting the ball in the back of the Real net, is Iker Casillas.

Though not a conventional forward, Messi scores so many goals quite simply because he is a deadly finisher. From any angle, on either foot. He rarely powers the ball into the back of the net with venom. Instead, he caresses the ball into all four corners of the goal.

But Casillas is not just any regular goalkeeper. Over the past decade, he has time and again exhibited his full array of goalkeeping abilities. Superhuman reflexes, excellent covering of angles, and an alertness to rush out of his goal when he senses danger.

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War of words erupts between Barca, Real

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hit back at Real Madrid counterpart Jose Mourinho as a stunning war of words erupted between the rival coaches.

The teams of the two managers meet in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

Speaking earlier on Tuesday, Mourinho launched a stinging attack on Guardiola regarding comments the Barca coach was supposed to have made about certain refereeing decisions.

Mourinho, referring to an example following last week's Copa del Rey final between Madrid and Barca regarding a disallowed Pedro Rodriguez goal for offside, said Guardiola had created a new group of coaches - one that criticises officials when they make correct decisions.

"Up until now we've had two groups of coaches," said the Portuguese. "[There's] a very small group who didn't talk about referees. Then there's a larger group, of which I'm included, of coaches that criticises referees when they make big mistakes.

"And with Pep's statements we've come to a third group, which is a one person group, who criticises good decisions made by the referee. I've never seen this before."

Guardiola refused to take the comments lying down, though, and launched an angry response during his press conference later on Tuesday evening.

The Barca coach said: "Tomorrow [Wednesday] at 8.45 we will meet each other on the pitch. Off the pitch he has already won.

"In this room (press room), he's the f*****g chief, the f*****g man, the person who knows everything about the world and I don't want to compete with him at all.

"It's a type of game I'm not going to play because I don't know how.

"I won't justify my words. I congratulated Madrid for the cup that they won deservedly on the pitch and against a team that I represent and of which I feel very proud."

He added: "Off the pitch, he has already won, as he has done all year.

"On the pitch, we'll see what happens."

Guardiola continued: "If you think that his allegation that I always complain about the referees is true after you've all heard form me over the last three years, well there's nothing I can do. Off the pitch there's nothing we can do to fight that."

Although Guardiola seemed to have been ruffled by Mourinho's apparent mind games, the Barca coach insisted his players would not be affected by all this.

He said: "Do you think the players will run more because I've spoken to Jose through the cameras? It's the Champions League semi-finals. The players won't be motivated by this, they know what I think about everything associated with this game."

Regarding the match, Barca suffered a blow when midfielder Andres Iniesta was ruled out with a calf injury.

Iniesta therefore joins Eric Abidal, Maxwell, Adriano and Bojan Krkic on the sidelines, although there was good news with captain Carles Puyol - who has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury - coming through Tuesday's training session unscathed.

When asked if Iniesta would be fit for next week's second leg, Guardiola said: "We hope that he will be recovered. As for who will play in his place, I don't know. I don't have many players to pick from but someone will step in and we'll see what we can do.

"I feel confident about the players we have. We are coming here proud to defend our style of play, with 12 home-grown players and set to face a team in the semi-finals who have nine European Cups and seven great forwards."

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Mourinho: There are no favourites

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho insists there are no favourites heading into the Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola had suggested at the weekend that his side were underdogs going into the match, with in-form Madrid having beaten the Catalan giants 1-0 in last week's Copa del Rey final.

Also, Barca have a defensive headache for Wednesday's game as left-backs Eric Abidal, Adriano and Maxwell are definitely missing, while Carles Puyol and Gabriel Milito have been struggling with injuries recently.

However, Mourinho believes no team can be considered favourites, saying: "For me there are no favourites. It's the Champions League semi-finals - two rival teams who know each other very well. Two teams with long traditions, two teams whose players know what it is to be successful, who know how to win things and play big matches.

"For me there aren't any favourites here. Maybe after the match people will say that perhaps one team is slightly ahead of the other, but at the moment before playing the match, my opinion is there are no favourites."

Mourinho also feels that last week's cup final win over Barca will have no bearing on the game.

Madrid had failed to win in six previous meetings with Barca and were without a title since 2008, but the capital club brought to an end both of those runs thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time header.

"We are the same as if we hadn't won the cup," Mourinho said. "It was great to beat them but after the final we were already preparing for the league match against Valencia (at the weekend).

"Each competition is independent of the other and each match has its own story.

"It's the Champions League. We have to give our best without being influenced by what happened before."

Mourinho also said he does not have a "magic potion" to defeat Barca, even though he masterminded Inter Milan's success over the Catalan club in last season's Champions League semi-finals as well as last week's cup victory with Madrid.

He also helped Madrid end a run of five successive defeats against their bitter rivals when they drew 1-1 in the league 10 days ago despite playing almost the entire second half with only 10 men.

"I don't have a magic potion to beat Barcelona. I work very hard and very seriously, and I spend many hours trying to help the people around, but a few months ago we lost 5-0 (at the Nou Camp) and I was the manager then," he said.

"We played a good match (against Barca) at the Bernabeu in the league and we also played a good match in Valencia (6-3 win on Saturday), but tomorrow [Wednesday] we are facing a top opponent with a top coach."

However, quoting Albert Einstein, the Portuguese recalled the adage of where there is a will there is a way.

He said: "I told my players there was someone called Albert, Albert Einstein, who said that there is a force more powerful than steam, electricity and atomic energy - will. And this guy Albert was not stupid."

Regarding the match, Mourinho admits only after the final whistle will he be able to say whether a draw is a good result.

"It depends on the match. If we play very well and have a lot of goalscoring opportunities and are better than our opponents, and we manage to draw, then I wouldn't be happy about that.

"But if Barca come here and play better, have more goalscoring chances and are nearly about to win the match and they deserve to win the match, and then we get a draw, then perhaps I will be happy then."