Real, Barca in colossal clash

Nov 26, 2010 |

Madrid, Nov. 26: Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho hopes to end the club’s recent woes against champions Barcelona when the two bitter rivals lock horns in the season’s first Clasico at Camp Nou on Monday.

Unbeaten Real lead the Spanish league by a point from Barcelona and the winner of the fixture would gain a significant edge in the title race, particularly as the dominant duo rarely slip up elsewhere, dropping just nine league points between them so far this season.

If Mourinho can win his maiden Clasico, his Real side would go four points clear, but Barca coach Pep Guardiola has a 100 per cent record in the fixture, including the famous 6-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu in May 2009.

Mourinho has masterminded wins over Barcelona in Europe with former clubs Chelsea and Inter Milan and can expect a hostile reception from the fans who watched his Inter outfit beat Guardiola’s side in last season’s Champions League semifinal.

“They (the Barcelona fans) will never forgive me for denying them the chance to win the Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu and I will get a hostile reception,” said Mourinho.

All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who have set the league alight this season and are the top two scorers in the league.

Ronaldo leads the scoring charts with 15 goals after a hat-trick in his side’s 5-1 win over Athletic Bilbao last time out and he scored two more in the 4-0 Champions League win at Ajax on Tuesday.

Messi has 13 league goals after also scoring a hat-trick in his last league match as Barcelona thumped Almeria 8-0 and he has netted in his last 10 ties in all competitions.

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