Jose Mourinho in nou Barcelona war

Posted Tuesday, May 03, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

JOSE MOURINHO’S assistant warned that the Champions League showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid could explode again.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference after Jose Mourinho refused to attend, Aitor Karanka said UEFA’s decision to reject Real Madrid’s complaints about the fi rst leg could lead to more ugly scenes in tonight’s clash.

The teams meet at the Nou Camp in the semi-fi nal second-leg with Barcelona defending a 2-0 lead from last week’s spiteful showdown at the Bernabeu.

But Karanka said the decision to ignore Real claims that Sergio Busquets racially abused defender Marcelo could backfi re.

“Everyone’s seen the images of what’s happened at the Bernabeu,” said Karanka.

“You’ll see players on the fi eld that don’t respect the rules, spewing racist phrases and not respecting football’s values.”

But Barcelona midfi elder Xavi hit back by slamming Real for the way they prepared the pitch, which was seen as part of Mourinho’s attempts to disrupt Barca’s slick passing game.

The former Chelsea boss was in the fi ring line for his post-match press conference when he questioned the Catalan club’s sponsorship agreement with UNICEF, called the side’s last Champions League win a “scandal” and claimed the Catalans receive support from UEFA in the big European matches.

All that came after his side had adopted an ultra-cautious approach to the home leg – before he was sent to the stands for criticising offi cials.

Xavi said: “I believe people like to see attractive football on a good playing surface, not long grass and hard pitches.

“It’s deplorable that there are no regulations in place for the state of the pitches. In 2011, there are still no regulations and that’s regrettable.”

The 2009 winners are still odds-on to book a Wembley date with the team they beat in that fi nal. Manchester United will defend a 2-0 lead when they entertain Schalke at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Xavi added: “I have the feeling that we are talking very little about football and that makes me sad.

“I love playing against Real Madrid and I love playing in these big games.

“They are very exciting challenges. It’s satisfying to be in the semi-fi nals and a reason to be proud.”

Barcelona won their fi rst European Cup at Wembley in 1992 and Xavi hopes his side can repeat that triumph in London this season.

“I watched it at home because my parents didn’t let me go to Wembley,” he added.

“It was a great day for the club and now we have a chance to go back there.

“We are up against a historical rival in Madrid and it would be very special to beat them, to go back there for another final. We will try to dominate possession – that’s the key. We have to be superior again.

“We have to be true to our philosophy.”

UEFA yesterday threw out complaints by both teams in the wake of last week’s clash, saying no new charges will be brought.

Barca wanted European football’s governing body to look into allegations about their club in Mourinho’s post-match attack while Real made a series of complaints about the Barca players’ behaviour and also Pepe’s red card.

But a UEFA statement said: “In the case of the behaviour of the Barcelona players, it was deemed that there was no common strategy to provoke the Real Madrid players, while in the case of Pepe, the referee’s factual decision is upheld.

“As a result, the player Pepe is suspended for the Barcelona-Real Madrid match.”

On Friday UEFA’s disciplinary committee will examine six charges against the two clubs – fi ve for Madrid and one for Barca, including two for Mourinho.

The charge includes the missile throwing and pitch invasion by Madrid fans.