BARCELONA, Oct 24 — Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will renew one of football’s most bitter rivalries on Sunday when he takes charge of his first Clasico since returning to the club, with La Liga leaders Barcelona awaiting him at Camp Nou.
The Portuguese veteran’s first spell at Madrid was defined in large part by his battle to end Barca’s dominance under Pep Guardiola, with relations between the Spanish giants slumping to their lowest ebb.
Mourinho managed to break Barca’s spell by guiding Real Madrid to the Spanish title in 2012, the crowning achievement of his reign from 2010-13.
Clasicos became increasingly compelling during that period, some would say not for the right reasons, as he and his staff clashed with their Barcelona counterparts both pitch-side and verbally in the media.
