El Clásico

Jose Mourinho refuses to face the media ahead of clash with Barcelona

The Real Madrid coach, José Mourinho, has refused to talk to the media ahead of the season’s first Clásico.

The Real Madrid coach, Jose Mourinho, has refused to speak to the press ahead of Saturday's clash with Barcelona those leaving duties to his assistant, Aitor Karanka, before the first Clásico of the season.

Mourinho had a testy relationship has with the Madrid-based media since joining from Inter Milan and declined to speak before a league game against Barça in April, prompting a walkout by around 30 local journalists.

With roughly a third of the season played, Real leaders have a three-point lead and a game in hand over second-placed Barca, who are chasing a club record-equalling fourth consecutive La Liga title.

Real have won 10 La Liga matches and their last 15 in all competitions, while the Catalans have lost only one of the 11 matches against great rivals since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2008. The former Barca and Spain midfielder has never lost at the Bernabeu as a coach, boasting three wins and two draws with 13 goals scored and five conceded.

Mourinho Has A full squad available except for the Portugal center-back Ricardo Carvalho, who is recovering from knee ligament and twisted has not played since late September. Guardiola also has a full roster, apart from long-term absentee Ibrahim Afellay, who is recovering from knee surgery in his native Netherlands.

Source: the guardian