In our build-up to the El Clascio we take a look at one of the greatest subplots of the clash between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona – Jose Mourinho v Pep Guardiola.
The games when Guardiola and Mourinho went head-to-head were classic El Clásicos. Mourinho's debut Clásico took place back in November 2010 and Madrid were demolished 5-0 at the Camp Nou.
Under Guardiola, Barça triumphed in five of the 11 matches, Mourinho's Real winning twice, one of those in extra-time in the Copa del Rey final.
It was a very special mini-era and Guardiola often got the better out of the Portuguese. However, Mourinho celebrated a famous win off the pitch, when he had provoked Guardiola too much and the Spaniard exploded in a 45 minute rant in 2011.
Mourinho had claimed Guardiola's Barcelona could only beat him and other opponents with the help of the referee and also hinted they needed the referee's help on their way to the Champions League title in 2009.
"Because Mr Mourinho permitted himself the luxury of calling me Pep, I will call him Jose," he started his famous speech.
"Tomorrow at 8.45 we will face each other on the pitch. He has already won the battle off the pitch. He has been winning all season, and in the future. If he wants a personal Champions League, I'll let him have his own off-field Champions trophy. I hope he takes it home and enjoys it as much as the other trophies.
"But this is a game. When it comes to sport, we will play and sometimes we will win; sometimes we will lose. I can also talk about a comparative list of grievances, which would go on forever. We could remember Stamford Bridge and another 1000 things, but I do not have that many people working for me – secretaries and referees and general managers pointing things out.
"So tomorrow, we will try to play football as best as possible. In this room, he is the f**king chief, el puto amo – the f**king man. He's the most knowledgeable man in the world. I do not want to compete for a moment. Just remember we were together for four years (at Barca). He knows me and I know him."
Guardiola's Barcelona beat Mourinho's Real Madrid 3-1 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-final that year, and ended up winning the trophy.
Do you think the rivalry between Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho made the El Clasico extra special? Have your say in the comment section below.
