Wednesday will be a red-letter day for Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho as he faces his nemesis once again: world champions Barcelona.
Mourinho’s team will go to Barca’s Camp Nou with the difficult task of overturning a 2-1 deficit from the first leg of their cup quarter-final clash.
Last Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Barca provoked massive criticism of Mourinho’s ultra-defensive line-up and tactics, and renewed rumours that Mourinho was planning to leave Madrid.
Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing of Athletic Bilbao – which kept the whites five points above Barca atop La Liga – has hardly helped to calm the situation.
Sports daily AS said on Monday that the controversial Portuguese coach has decided to leave in June because of alleged divisions in the dressing room between the Spanish and Portuguese players – and because of his poor relations with the Madrid media.
On Tuesday rival daily Marca quoted Real defender Sergio Ramos as denying any divisions, saying that “there is a great group and great unity.”
However an online poll taken by AS showed, on Tuesday, that 61 per cent of readers think Mourinho will leave in June.
AS editor Alfredo Relano wittily compared Mourinho to the captain of the sunken Costa Concordia cruise boat, Francesco Schettino, who now stands accused by the Italian authorities of abandoning his ship without proper regard for the passengers.
AS also quoted former Spain playmaker Luis Suarez – who worked with Mourinho at Inter Milan from 2008 to 2010 – as saying that “I think Mourinho is preparing his departure.”
Mourinho has only managed one victory against Barca in nine clashes.
He hinted on Monday that he will opt for an offensive line-up on Wednesday, with just two defensive midfielders instead of three and with playmakers Mesut Oezil and Kaka both starting.
Winger Angel di Maria is doubtful with a pulled muscle and it is not clear either whether defender Pepe will travel to Barcelona.
Pepe earned himself massive reproach and censure for seemingly deliberately stepping on the hand of Lionel Messi after the FIFA World Player had been floored by a heavy foul.
Astonishingly, the Spanish federation has decided not to sanction Pepe for the incident, because it was not seen by the referee.
Barcelona have decided not to ask for punishment for Pepe but are annoyed that Real have not suspended their own player.
“It is difficult to believe that this incident is not going to be investigated,” said Barca idol Andres Iniesta.
Pepe missed the Bilbao game due to an alleged injury but it is still not clear whether he will be in Barcelona or Madrid on Wednesday night.
Meanwhile, Barca coach Pep Guardiola is determined not to let his talented team rest on their laurels after the first-leg win.
He is likely to field his first-choice team, with Spain defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol at the back to ensure that Cristiano Ronaldo and company will not be able to spring a surprise.
