Whether true or false, there are more or less convincing reasons that could push one to accept this idea. Besides, the act of fixing does not only consist of presetting a game’s result in football. The intents of making fixings can extend themselves to much farther points; and in consequence, manipulating diverse areas of a match can also be done for reasons other than attempting to arrange a specific score line.
As Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have not had to deal publicly with this issue thus far—since the media did not make a huge news out of it—one is allowed to maintain his suggestions and believe whatever he wishes. On the other hand, the silence of both coaches on this matter keeps the public away from the truth—leading their fans to go astray in their assumptions. In this article, Live Soccer TV looks at interesting doings from both managers, as we find out what is so strange about the Real Madrid and Barcelona bosses ahead of El Clasico.
Jose Mourinho vs Barcelona – Deciding The End Of His Own Home Record?
The upcoming Real Madrid vs Barcelona clash in La Liga on the evening of 16 April 2011 was supposed to put before Mourinho and Guardiola a massive load of opportunities. Surely, it is still a battle from which great milestones can be obtained; nevertheless, what should have been the most important part of it seems to have been removed in an unbelievable manner.
See how Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola will automatically make El Clasico history.
Weeks ago, the main question rising from the imminent showdown was ‘if the Spanish manager would be successful in destroying the Portuguese’s 9-year unbeaten home record’. Now, the answer of this question is nothing but a negation, as the ‘Special One’ lost his special record by going down by a goal to nil at the Bernabeu Stadium against Sporting Gijon 2 weeks ago.
This can seem strange from any point of view, considering that the former Chelsea coach had set that particular encounter higher in his priority list than his first-leg meeting with Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League’s quarterfinals. Meanwhile, whilst Real Madrid thrashed Spurs 4-0 at the Bernabeu on April 5, they lost 1-0 to the Rojiblancos at home 3 days earlier.
What makes the situation even more peculiar is the fact that Mourinho—before his home loss—showed strong determination to win and highly emphasized Los Blancos’ need to gather another 3 points that would enable them to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona. However, after seeing his unique home run come to an end, Mourinho shockingly revealed: “If I had wanted to draw 0-0 (with Gijon), I would have done (so).”
So, as the man in full control of the Real Madrid team, it would not have been difficult for him to go for a draw, which would have been good enough for his home run to continue. But why did he agree to get defeated at the Bernabeu in his last home match in La Liga preceding El Clasico?
Jose Mourinho turned into a victim of Coach Guardiola on 29 November 2010, when he was disgraced by Barcelona at the Camp Nou through an unforgettable 5-0 defeat. Since the revolution of the Catalan club in the last months of 2008, no manager has been capable of humbling Pep in The Classic—whether at the Nou Camp, or in the Spanish capital.
See video highlights Barcelona’s 100% record against Real Madrid since 2008.
If Mourinho had decided to put at risk his 9-year home record in the approaching Real Madrid vs Barcelona match, then it would have given Guardiola even much to dream of; and knowing the huge power of the Blaugrana trainer, it would have placed the ex-Inter Milan leader in great danger. Lack of courage, gutlessness on Jose’s behalf... whatever one would like to call it—it is understandable that there is hitherto no way anyone could make a final judgment on the affair involving Mourinho, his destroyed home run and Barcelona.
More than probably, the mystery in the Special One’s pasting on 3 April 2011 against Sporting Gijon will forever remain unfolded. Yet, opportunely, there are still other achievements that Barca’s Pep Guardiola could reach for. Being the second man to defeat Mourinho in his home in a league match after Manuel Preciado, or giving the Azulgranas their 6th consecutive Clasico victory in La Liga for the first time ever are for instance 2 valuable feats that would take the 40-year-old to new heights in his career.
Pep Guardiola vs Real Madrid: Overcontrolling The Barcelona Line-Up Ahead Of El Clasico?
“A Real Madrid vs Barcelona match is not a memorable Clasico if it does not present both sides’ best players...” This must be the thought of most Spanish football lovers, who have eagerly been waiting for tonight’s battle. Such reasoning is justifiable, but presumably, Guardiola overcontrolled his side’s line-up ahead of the showdown by going as far as fixing some of his players’ bookings.
The defensive area of the Barca army has always been very important for the manager, and on Day 30, he apparently did not hesitate to sacrifice his goalkeeper Victor Valdes and his defensive midfielder Sergio Busquets for the sake of today’s Clasico. A video extracted from a Canal+ footage related to the recent Villarreal vs Barcelona game clearly shows Guardiola making bizarre gestures, which only himself can explain.
In any case, from a watcher’s standpoint, it appears he is telling his two players to get their league season’s 5th yellow cards so as to eliminate all fears of missing their Real Madrid encounter, through a ‘forced’ absence against Almeria on Day 31. In effect, on April 9, Valdes and Busquets both had to undergo a 1-match ban as the Catalans welcomed the Andalusians.
No matter what the reasons behind his outlandish signs were, Guardiola is lucky to have escaped any investigation from FIFA. The coach is now ready to face Real with a powerful side, and all that is left to expect at this point is nothing less than a gory fight between Spain’s 2 most respected clubs.
Learn about the impact that El Clasico will have on La Liga standings.
