Real Madrid v Barcelona: 'I have no magic potion' says Jose Mourinho as expectation mounts in Madrid
Jose Mourinho has tried to manage expectations of Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, stressing that Real's Copa del Rey win has not made them the favourites
Carried away: Jose Mourinho has called for caution after the euphoria generated by Real Madrid's Copa del Rey win, their first trophy in three seasons Photo: AP
By Telegraph staff and agencies 3:54PM BST 26 Apr 2011
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Real's 1-0 win in the tightly-fought final of the Copa del Rey - the second of this month's four El Clásico encounters - has given Madrid fans hope that the tide of Spanish football might finally be turning against Barcelona.
Previously Madrid had not beaten a pep guardiola-coached Barcelona side in seven attempts.
But Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to victory in last year's edition of Europe's elite club competition before moving to Spain, pointed out that he was the same coach who suffered a 5-0 La Liga drubbing at Barca's hands at the Nou Camp in November.
"They are a top team with a top coach and everything is possible," he said.
"I am exactly the same coach who lost 5-0 to Barcelona and I don't have any magic potion."
Sergio Ramos, Real's right back, echoed Mourinho. "We don't regard ourselves as favourites because I don't think it serves for anything," he told his team's website.
"If anything has led to success it's been simplicity, humility and hard work. And those are the values we must uphold," he said on his club's website.
"Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have great players and nobody can predict what will happen. We all know the responsibility we have and what it takes to defend these colours and we know we have to give it everything."
"If one thing's clear it's that the coach will not change his philosophy, his style or his habits. His ideas are clear and we're going to prepare the same way."
While Barcelona are on course for a third straight league title, Madrid cruise into Wednesday's first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with more confidence and a more rested team, since Mourinho left most of his regulars on the bench against Valencia.
Madrid are without midfielder Sami Khedira, who has been key in stifling Barcelona's attack. But forwards Emmanuel Adebayor and Angel Di Maria are expected to be available with the latter leading the attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Oezil.
Defender Ricardo Carvalho is suspended while Ronaldo, Di Maria and defenders Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol are a booking away from missing the return leg on May 3.
Barcelona's defence, meanwhile, is struggling without a natural left back, with Adriano, Eric Abidal and Maxwell all out of action. Abidal's absence coupled with the doubt over Carles Puyol's availability means Javier Mascherano or Sergio Busquets is likely to partner Gerard Pique in central defence.
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