It was as though somebody had unearthed a holy relic. Four pieces of screwed-up paper, abandoned on the turf by the away dugout at the Rico Pérez stadium, home of Herculés, who stand 14th in La Liga. The documents that would unlock the secret, unravel the mystery. Four tiny pieces of paper treated with reverential awe.

 

They were pages torn from José Mourinho's pad. They featured notes such as "pace, movement TR9", "depth, dead balls, switch wings", "arrival, counter". Then there were initials – DM and PL on either side, O and XA in the middle, K behind. And on the final page, numbers: 38, 13, and 6 in a column, 57 below, with "10 months" scrawled alongside. What did it all mean? The relics were carefully gathered up and taken to Canal Plus's flagship show El Día Después. The following day, they were spread across the first two pages of the newspaper AS.

 

Not only was the substance analysed, so was the style – by a handwriting expert and a psychologist. Apparently, Mourinho's long Ts, round numbers and "vibrant" scrawl show he is a "good man" with an "astonishing capacity for leadership", "a strong, decisive character", and "noble" with "incredible intelligence". As for the numbers, he was surely planning his season: it meant 10 months, 38 league games, 13 Champions League games, six in the Copa del Rey. It was a good sign: he was counting on reaching the Champions League final. That was the theory, anyway.

 

Few of the faithful doubted Mourinho would succeed. On one side of Spain's great divide – the side he confronts tomorrow night when he takes his Real Madrid team to Barcelona – Mourinho has been painted as immoral, barely better than Beelzebub. But still he occupies their time; never does a day pass without an attack. On the other side, Mourinho is feted, revered, lauded. Everything he does is part of a master plan, a work of genius. He may be Machiavellian but he is a winner.

 

Last week's red-card furore in the Champions League game at Ajax summed up his season. Real won 4-0 but had two men sent off for time-wasting and incurred Uefa's wrath, as both players thus avoided the possibility of suspension in the first knockout tie. The players and Mourinho have been accused of subterfuge; Madrid's wonderful football lost under a deluge of controversy.

 

Life in Spain had not started well when Mourinho left Inter early in the summer, having overseen the Milanese side's coronation as European champions. Real drew 0-0 twice in three away games, and many feared that his football would be intolerably boring. His team responded by winning their next three games 6-1, 4-1, and 6-1. They racked up seven straight victories. They are top of the league, a point ahead of Barça, having scored 33 in 12 games. No incoming manager has ever started better in this league.

 

There is a collective faith about Madrid: watching Angel di María, the expression of Mourinho's methods on the pitch, is to witness sacrifice and unity. Mourinho has built team spirit. He has beaten it into some: Pedro León was left out for two games, Karim Benzema castigated for arriving late, Sergio Canales dismissed with a simple: "I didn't like him." Defensively, they are sound. They play with pace and precision, devastating on counterattacks launched from Xabi Alonso. They are enjoying more possession than his previous teams ever did, too, with quick interchanges led by Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo and the deceptively simple Mesut Ozil.

'This year's galáctico is Mourinho,' Florentino Pérez said. But Sporting Gijón's Manolo Preciado called him a 'scumbag'

It is not just that Mourinho is winning; it is that he is different. That he can do things his way. No Madrid coach has had such authority. Mourinho has brought a seismic shift at the Santiago Bernabéu. Barcelona have often been identified by their coaches; Madrid have not. Until now. The latest edition of the official club magazine says: "Now, the world's best coach is here." At the start of the season, Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, announced: "This year's galáctico is Mourinho."

 

Consulted on signings (Ricardo Carvalho and Di María arrived on his insistence), he controls everything and has become the voice of the club, Real's identity. Pérez could not be happier. One director insists: "He is easily the best coach in the world. Not only does he know about tactics, he is the best psychologist, the best manager of egos and the best in the transfer market."

 

The sports newspaper Marca can barely contain itself: Mourinho, one cover ran, "provokes an orgasmou". Headlines with "mou" in them appear obligatory; some are even calling his team Real Moudrid.

 

El País called him the "Michael Jackson of coaches". Canal Plus's analysis of his notes bordered on a scene from the Life of Brian. Notes! It is a sign! When Spain's competition committee investigated a confrontation between him and Manolo Preciado, the Sporting Gijón manager, Marca superimposed his head on to Goya's most famous painting, The third of May 1808, which depicts a humble, defenceless Spaniard facing a French firing squad. He was that important.

 

Not everyone saw him as an innocent victim. Although it was Preciado who insulted Mourinho, calling him a "scumbag", First Division coaches rallied round the Sporting coach. Mourinho had broken the golden rule, questioning another coach's professionalism, accusing Preciado of throwing his match against Barcelona. Preciado is popular; Mourinho has previous, with the constant digs at referees and at opponents.

 

If in Barcelona they are, as Mourinho insists, "obsessed" with him, he has been equally obsessed with them. It is his mission to destroy them. So far, the provocation is not working. Pep Guardiola refuses to be drawn. Nonetheless, when the Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, said Mourinho would get the "reception he deserves" at the Camp Nou, most considered it a threat.

 

And Madrid are more of a threat than ever before. Mourinho's first mission for Madrid came while he was still coach at Inter: to defeat Barcelona in last year's Champions League semi-final. After four trophyless seasons, winning is all that matters. So what if he winds a few people up on the way?

 

"Those who attack him are just jealous because he is successful," said Alfredo Di Stefáno, Madrid's honorary president. "We didn't sign him to make friends," Emilio Butragueño, the former striker who is now a director, said. "We signed him to win."

 

And to win tomorrow above all.

Sid Lowe - Observer

 

Looking forward to tomorrow night even though the first encounter of the season (for the fourth time in a row I think). Hopefully it's not another red button job and I can watch it at home on Virgin.

 

 

So if barca win 5-0 tonight or even over the tie on agg it would still be a mind games fail?

 

 

Aye.

 

Although Real would've pulled off a pretty epic football fail.

So if barca win 5-0 tonight or even over the tie on agg it would still be a mind games fail?

 

Yes, he made Pep snap. That has nothing to do with what happens on the pitch.

I disagree, you've only won at mind games if your team gains an advantage from it otherwise whats the point.  For all you know pep could be stirring the pot for his gain, just because he hasnt before doesnt mean he never will

Depends how close a unit Barca are, it could well stir up Guardiola's players if they see how angered he is by Mourinho's comments.

 

We shall see...

42 mins and what a heap of shite so far. Seen better games at Pittodrie,..........this season!

 

Crapico not classico!

42 mins and what a heap of shite so far. Seen better games at Pittodrie,..........this season!

 

Crapico not classico!

 

Agreed. Only difference is that at the Bernabeu there's an atmosphere.

I did suspect this would be a boring game. Pepe sent off now though. Yellow at best, I know his foot was off the ground but Alves really knew what he was doing and he certainly made the most of it. You have to look at why Barca players feel they have to swarm around the referee. This will be right up Jose's street though! Gotta love him!

stunning goal from messi to put Barcelona 2 0 up.

 

agree pepe was unlucky to be sent off but its always a risk having your studs showing that high particularly when the ref didn't have the best of views

Shocking advert for Spanish football.

Time for a summit i'd say.

 

That was the worst Barca game i've seen in about 10 years or so.

stunning goal from messi to put Barcelona 2 0 up.

 

agree pepe was unlucky to be sent off but its always a risk having your studs showing that high particularly when the ref didn't have the best of views

 

Hi didn't win the ball with studs though, he kicked it to clear it an Alves booted Pepe's studs yet it's a red card.

 

Barca were a disgrace.

 

Messi's goals came from positions that Pepe would have been yet everyone is having a chug over the goal.

 

Lost any respect I had for Barcelona last night.

This will be right up Jose's street though! Gotta love him!

 

nah, look at the shite he came out with last night.

 

Barcelona are contemplating whether to report Jose Mourinho after the Real Madrid coach insinuated they receive favourable treatment from referees.

 

Mourinho vented his fury after Barca won 2-0 at 10-man Real in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

 

He said: "It's clear that against Barcelona you have no chance.

 

"I don't know if it's the publicity of Unicef [the club's shirt sponsor], I don't know if it's because they are very nice, but they've got this power."

 

Mourinho added: "I don't know if it's the friendship of [spanish football federation president Angel Maria] Villar at [European football's governing body] Uefa, where he is vice-president."

 

Mourinho's anger stemmed from referee Wolfgang Stark's decision to send off Real defender Pepe for a foul on Dani Alves on the hour mark with the score at 0-0.

 

The Portuguese was also sent to the stands after protesting to the fourth official and his mood had not lightened at the post-match press conference.

 

"[barcelona's Pep] Guardiola is a fantastic coach, but he's won one Champions League which I would be ashamed to win after the scandal at Stamford Bridge and this year, if he wins it again, it will be after the scandal at the Bernabeu," stated Mourinho.

 

"I hope that one day he will win a clean Champions League, with no incidents behind it."

 

The first 'scandal' Mourinho was referring to was the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea in 2009, when the Catalan club reached the final on the away goals rule.

 

Andres Iniesta's injury-time strike secured the win, but at the final whistle Chelsea's players confronted referee Tom Ovrebo, who had waved away at least four penalty appeals during the game.

 

Barca went on to beat Manchester United in the final.

 

Mourinho, who coached Inter Milan to the 2010 Champions League title, after after beating Barcelona in the last four, continued: "Why couldn't Chelsea reach the final two years ago? It was a miracle that Inter reached the final last year.

 

"I am here just to ask this question and I hope to get the answer one day."

 

Mourinho will now be without the suspended Portuguese defender Pepe and Spanish centre-half Sergio Ramos, who was also booked, for the second leg at the Nou Camp on Tuesday 3 May.

 

Barring a successful appeal, Mourinho will be forced to watch the match from the stands.

 

"Yes, we are out. Sometimes I am a little bit disgusted to live in this world, but this is the world we live in," he said.

 

"We will have to go to Barcelona and look for some pride, without Pepe who didn't do anything, without Ramos who didn't do anything and without a coach to sit on the bench.

 

"As soon as Pepe was sent off, all of their problems were solved.

 

"If, in a sporting sense, it's difficult to turn this around, I would say it's now mission impossible.

 

"If we go there and score a goal, they will kill us again. We have no chance.

 

"They have to get to the final and that's that."

 

Following Barca's victory, which came courtesy of two Lionel Messi goals, Guardiola chose to look ahead to the fifth and final encounter against their bitter rivals this season.

 

"We haven't made it to the final yet, this is the first leg match," he said.

 

"A team that has nine European Cups never gives up on a tie. We are two games and one draw from being European champions. We will think about the return so we can get to Wembley.

 

"We are a step away from the final, but we will carry on respecting Madrid, very, very much.

 

"If we start to believe we are already through, Madrid can punish us. We don't believe we are already there [Wembley]."

 

"We played a very good match and I would like to congratulate the team."

I don't really get why everyone's getting their punts in a twist about Barca players surrounding the ref? It happens all the time in football these days. Chelsea (especially Jose Mourinho's Chelsea) are/were guilty of it too. I don't like to see it either but they'd have to sin worse than that before I lose respect for such a good team.

 

I thought Pepe's challenge was dangerous whether Alves made the most of it or not. Whether it warranted a red card or not I'm not sure. One thing's for sure. If Carragher or Gerrard got sent off for that challenge there'd not be one single complaint from anyone excluding Liverpool fans. 

 

One thing's for sure. If Carragher or Gerrard got sent off for that challenge there'd not be one single complaint from anyone excluding Liverpool fans.

 

I thought Pepe's challenge was dangerous whether Alves made the most of it or not. Whether it warranted a red card or not I'm not sure. One thing's for sure. If Carragher or Gerrard got sent off for that challenge there'd not be one single complaint from anyone excluding Liverpool fans.

 

I'm sure that happened earlier in the season, possibly against Everton And liverpool fans did complain! I'm sure you were one of them

I'm sure that happened earlier in the season, possibly against Everton And liverpool fans did complain! I'm sure you were one of them

 

Is that the same Everton game where Everton got a corner when the ball was kicked out of play by an Everton player and they went on to score from the corner?

 

I can't remember the tackle you're talking about but if that particular decision favoured Liverpool then the one I mentioned made up for it times ten!

I don't really get why everyone's getting their punts in a twist about Barca players surrounding the ref? It happens all the time in football these days. Chelsea (especially Jose Mourinho's Chelsea) are/were guilty of it too. I don't like to see it either but they'd have to sin worse than that before I lose respect for such a good team.

 

I thought Pepe's challenge was dangerous whether Alves made the most of it or not. Whether it warranted a red card or not I'm not sure. One thing's for sure. If Carragher or Gerrard got sent off for that challenge there'd not be one single complaint from anyone excluding Liverpool fans.

 

But it's not just surrounding the ref, waving imaginary cards added to their diving and face clutching just marks them down as wankers. The worst thing is that it seems systematic to me, a game plan.

 

They will cheat to win. Always.

It was like watching the Highland League but with better hair!

With all this boiling up i think i am going to put a few bob on a Barca player getting sent off in the second leg.

But it's not just surrounding the ref, waving imaginary cards added to their diving and face clutching just marks them down as wankers. The worst thing is that it seems systematic to me, a game plan.

 

They will cheat to win. Always.

 

I agree that those antics are completely out of order but it's nothing new unfortunately.

I agree that those antics are completely out of order but it's nothing new unfortunately.

 

Agreed and having managed that shower of shite Porto, Mourhino can hardly take the high ground.

 

 

Was Pepe not on a yellow and would have been sent off anyway?  Adebayor should have got a straight red.

 

I thought it was a decent second half.  Two great goals and the better team won! 

 

Mourinho seems to sway between a cool calculating tactician, and an utter cunt.  His behaviour was embarrassing for himself.

 

Was Pepe not on a yellow and would have been sent off anyway?  Adebayor should have got a straight red.

 

I thought it was a decent second half.  Two great goals and the better team won! 

 

Mourinho seems to sway between a cool calculating tactician, and an utter cunt.  His behaviour was embarrassing for himself.

 

The whole thing was embarrassing and neither side can take the high ground over it. It was an ugly, ugly game from so many angles.  I really do long for the days when football was a man's game.

Real - Barca eat your heart out. At least these guys had reason to be on the floor 

 

Real - Barca eat your heart out. At least these guys had reason to be on the floor 

 

 

2.13 was perfectly fair, not sure what the complaints are about.