Barcelona and Real Madrid drew 1-1 in La Liga on Saturday night at the Bernabeu and come head-to-head again on Wednesday to contest the Copa del Rey final at the Mestalla, before the small matter of the Champions League semi-final clash between the two Spanish giants (Match Betting – Barcelona 10/11, draw 11/4, Real Madrid 11/4).
Barca’s draw at the Bernabeu last time out was enough to all but wrap up the La Liga title for the Catalan giants and Real boss Jose Mourinho will be desperate to land the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ has never failed to land a trophy in a complete season in management and will not want to start in his debut campaign with Los Blancos.
No Real boss has stayed in the job for the following season after failing to secure a piece of silverware for 28-years and there have already been rumours suggesting the Portuguese coach could be heading for pastures new in the summer, after failing to mount a serious challenge for the league crown.
However, Mourinho insists he is in a relaxed state of mind ahead of the showdown and expects a tight affair between the two powerhouses of Spanish football.
“This is my first final with Real Madrid, but I am relaxed,” explained Mourinho. “I have experienced many matches like this one, which is why I am a lot more calm than a coach who has never been here before.”
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol was stretchered off in the draw in Madrid on Saturday, but has been included in boss Pep Guardiola’s squad after coming through training on Tuesday.
There was speculation Real quartet Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo (5/1 to score first), Kaka and Mesut Ozil were all struggling and may miss the final, but all four have been included by Mourinho in his squad. However, both Fernando Gago and Lassana Diarra are missing with injury problems.
The tie should be an interesting affair, especially as the two sides meet in the Champions League on April 27 and May 3, but given Barcelona’s recent dominance over Real they will fancy their chances (Barcelona 9/1 to win in extra time, Real Madrid 14/1).
Guardiola had an unblemished record prior to Saturday’s draw and he still hasn’t lost a Clasico fixture since taking charge at Camp Nou, and with all his stars available, the Catalan giants may well prove too strong for their fierce rivals yet again (Half-Time/Full-Time – Barcelona/Barcelona 2/1).
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