El Clasico & History: Jose Mourinho vs Barcelona – From Amity To Rivalry

Topics: El Clasico, Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, La Liga, Bobby Robson, Louis van Gaal, Inter Milan, Chelsea

Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho is perhaps Barcelona’s most potent enemy, but in a different scenario, the recent Clasico winner could well have been in the shoes of Guardiola, as Barca’s coach.

Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho was once a great asset to FC Barcelona. The relationship linking Mourinho to Barcelona has not always been as rigid as it currently seems. The Portuguese manager was once looked upon as a key participant in the future of the Catalan team by the club’s board; but unpredictable changes wholly altered the situation, making Mourinho give his heart to the Blaugrana’s bitter archrivals: Real Madrid.

In truth to be told, damages in the Special One’s friendship with Barcelona gradually took place over a period of years, and it was the last months before his arrival in Real that marked the permanent end of the companionship between Mourinho and his one-time allies. There will surely never ever be any happening that will restore the dead connection that previously looked so promising in the eyes of the Azulgranas. Future episodes related to the saga remain a mystery for now, but one thing is currently certain: forthcoming Clasicos will do nothing but heat up the enmity that has drawn Jose Mourinho so far away from Barcelona.

Jose Mourinho – A Good Start At FC Barcelona

The mid-90s saw a lovable duo—formed by the late Bobby Robson and a young Mourinho—land at Barcelona, after visiting Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto. As a non-expert in languages, the Englishman was in need of accurate interpretations to stay on top of his work in southwest Europe, and he had been using Mourinho as his direct interpreter to guide him in his communication with his associates and players.

Yet apparently, the strong-minded Portuguese had great interest in club management, and sharing his tactics and schemes with Sir Robson eventually became an extra characteristic of their friendship. Northeast Spain seemed to be the perfect place for the former Ovarense assistant manager, and the latter moved in Barcelona with his family to take on his new challenge along with the ex-England coach. The interpreter subsequently learnt the Catalan language and grew as an important member of Barca—winning the favour of the club’s leaders.

Jose Mourinho and Bobby Robson formed a wonderful duo at FC Barcelona. After clinching the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in his only season at the club as a coach, Robson was lifted to the position of General Manager, while Louis van Gaal took over the managerial duties. It was then that Mourinho was elevated to the rank of assistant manager, and the 1997/1998 season saw the fast learner take his tactical abilities to a new level—exhibiting his coaching skills even better.

Although Jose did not look likely to leave his British mentor at that time, he was forced to kiss Robson goodbye the following term, as the English legend opted to move to the Netherlands. Mourinho and Van Gaal worked as a great force together, and through their partnership, Barcelona won numerous domestic titles. The Dutchman proved to have a high level of thrust in his assistant, and overtime, he widened his responsibilities so as to develop him in the best possible manner.

Following successful times at Barca, Mourinho decided to return to Portugal as the first-team coach of Benfica. Nonetheless, after four years in his homeland, the dream maker landed at Chelsea—and there, he met his first chance to face the club he once cherished: FC Barcelona.

Jose Mourinho vs Barcelona: A Look At His Champions League Matches Against Barca

Barcelona 2-1 Chelsea, UEFA Champions League – Last 16

Jose Mourinho challenged FC Barcelona for the first time in February 2005 in the UEFA Champions League, in a match he was not able to win. In front of 89,000 spectators at the Camp Nou, Chelsea took the lead through an own goal from Belletti in the 32nd minute, but Maxi Lopez and Samuel Eto’o responded in the second half to silence the visitors—who had their striker Didier Drogba sent off before the hour mark.

Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona, UEFA Champions League – Last 16

Jose Mourinho proved himself in 2005 after defeating FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League's Round of 16. Mourinho’s second meeting with Barcelona was in March 2005, in his return-leg encounter of the Champions League’s Last 16, that season. This time, the former Porto manager showed why he was so special among other coaches by humbling a mighty Barca side 4-2 at the Stamford Bridge. Gudjohnsen, Lampard and Duff all jumped on the scoring sheet for the Blues before the half of the first period, but ensuing efforts from Van Bronckhorst and Xavi cut the Blaugrana’s deficit to 3-2 at the break. Mourinho’s men stole the show on 79 minutes though, when a header from John Terry closed a marvellous night for the Londoners.

Chelsea 1-2 Barcelona, UEFA Champions League – Last 16

Mourinho’s third battle against Barcelona was not as successful as his previous one; the bold trainer lost 2-1 in a controversial encounter, in which both sides netted own goals. In the end, a winner from Samuel Eto’o on 80 minutes was enough for the Catalans to run away with a glorious advantage; but for Mourinho, some aspects of the match were just annoying. Seeing his player Del Horno getting sent off and feeling the official making bias decisions at the expense of the Blues were simply maddening issues. Especially with Barcelona fans justifying their team’s victory, it was obvious that the Mourinho-Barca relationship had suffered profound fissures.

Barcelona 1-1 Chelsea, UEFA Champions League – Last 16

Strong and somehow violent tensions prior that second-leg clash in May 2006 deteriorated Mourinho’s bond with the Catalans even further, with supporters of Los Cules doing everything in their power to destroy the Portuguese’s spirit. Regardless, that match ended in a 1-1 draw following goals from Ronaldinho and Frank Lampard at the Estadio Camp Nou, and the Blues had to deal with a bitter disqualification.

Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona, UEFA Champions League – Group Stage

Jose Mourinho took his revenge against the then-holders Barcelona that same year in the following season through a memorable 1-0 triumph at the Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba’s strike on 46 minutes was all the host needed to shut down their Spanish rivals, and this feat certainly increased the hate the Azulgranas had for the boss they described as an “arrogant cheat”.

Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea, UEFA Champions League – Group Stage

Mourinho knew that his opponents had a point to prove in the return leg, but all he wished to do was to avoid being dominated at the Camp Nou—which by some means, he did. Despite the match being filled with a host of controversial decisions from the referee against Barcelona, the Blues were not lucky enough to get the final say. Nevertheless, a 2-2 draw was satisfying for them, and the daring Mourinho found great joy in expressing his deepest emotions when Drogba netted a late equalizer.

The Portuguese manager famously went down with his knees on the ground, screaming and celebrating as if his Ivorian striker had just won him the trophy. There was perhaps nothing more disgusting for Barca fans than watching one of their greatest enemies rejoicing in such a manner in their own stadium…

Inter Milan 0-0 Barcelona, UEFA Champions League – Group Stage

After leaving Chelsea, Mourinho joined Inter Milan, and in the 2009/2010 season, the Special One obtained another chance to fight Barcelona in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. No goals were scored in that match, and there was nothing that raised debates or tensions, as Jose decided to adopt a nice behaviour ahead of the clash.

Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League – Group Stage

Mourinho had to endure a 2-0 defeat in his second-leg game in the group stage. Gerard Pique and Pedro Rodriguez got the goals for the home side, but there were not many concerns in the long run; both sides went on to progress into the knockout phase of the competition.

Inter Milan 3-1 Barcelona, UEFA Champions League – Semi-finals

This encounter played a major role in the destruction of the friendship between the Special One and Barcelona. Controversy was in fact at the heart of the battle, with the Nerazzurri stealing an undeserved 3-1 victory over a robbed Barca side. Referee Olegário Benquerença was accused by midfielder Xavi of favouring fellow-Portuguese personality Mourinho for nationality reasons, while defender Pique blatantly said: “The second leg has to have an impartial referee.”

Barcelona 1-0 Inter Milan, UEFA Champions League – Semi-finals

As expected, Mourinho was surrounded and harassed by angry Barcelona fans during his arrival in Spain for the return-leg showdown in the semi-finals. While these acts were heavily criticized by the Inter club and the majority of football followers, Mourinho’s only desire was to punish the Catalans for their lack of professionalism, lack of maturity, and unjustifiable hostility. Ultimately he succeeded, and when asked on the contentious manner in which he defeated the 2009 European champions, he maliciously made reference to Barcelona’s notorious victory against Chelsea in the semi-finals, the previous season.

“It is a pity… A year ago, Chelsea were crying and Barca were laughing with the referee (Ovrebo),” he stated. “They laughed because he denied my Chelsea boys their rightful place.”

Furthermore, it was the fact that Mourinho ran unto the pitch at the Camp Nou after the final whistle to celebrate Inter’s victory that killed opposing fans with detestation. And when the groundsman switched on the pipes in an attempt to drive the Italian side away from the field, the fire burning within their broken hearts entirely detached them from the former interpreter—finally destroying the already-weakened amity eternally.

“I respect Barca and I will never forget what the club gave me in the four years I was here. But something has been created around me that is hard to make positive. It’s clear that I will end my career without having coached Barca.”

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Jose Mourinho in El Clasico

Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, El Clasico 2010 in La Liga

Jose Mourinho did not enjoy the best of debuts in El Clasico with Real Madrid, losing 5-0 to FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou on 29 November 2010. This defeat definitely served as the perfect vengeance for the Azulgranas, who had still not healed from the wounds they suffered when the Blaugrana were knocked out of the Champions League by Inter.

Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona, El Clasico 2011 in La Liga

Jose Mourinho was highly praised after his famous victory in the Barcelona vs Real Madrid encounter, in the 2011 Copa del Rey final. 16 April 2011 was a much better day for the Special One: Real Madrid were finally able to put an end to Pep Guardiola’s five-match winning streak in El Clasico, through a 1-1 draw. Lionel Messi first got on target for Barcelona, before Cristiano Ronaldo broke his goalless curse against Barca with a second-half penalty that levelled the result.

Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid, El Clasico 2011 in the Copa del Rey final

This was one of Jose Mourinho’s biggest tests as a manager. Playing in a cup final against bitter rivals is never an easy thing to do, but the ex-Inter manager was capable of overpowering a well-prepared Barcelona side, thanks to his winger Cristiano Ronaldo. The No.7’s header in extra-time spoiled the Catalans’ night at the Mestalla Stadium, only to throw Mourinho and Los Blancos back on the path to glory as they make further steps in their quest for more trophies.

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