Barca on rare back foot for third Clasico
Reuters - Wednesday 27 April 2011, 03:00
LONDON - Barcelona hold an eight point
lead over Real Madrid in La Liga but following a cup final loss
to their rivals it is Pep Guardiola's side who seem to be
feeling the pressure before Wednesday's Champions League clash.
A normally restrained Guardiola lashed out at his Real
counterpart Jose Mourinho in the run up to the semi-final first
leg, saying he would not be drawn into the colourful
Portuguese's game of "constant insinuation."
It is also a year since Mourinho masterminded Inter Milan's
elimination of favourites Barca at the same stage and the threat
of another semi-final exit at his hands looms large over the
Catalans for the third of four "Clasicos" in 18 days.
Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time winner in the King's Cup Final last week has given Mourinho's side a perfect boost and
dented Barca's aura of invincibility.
Barcelona's cause has also not been helped by influential
midfielder Andres Iniesta missing the clash at the Bernabeu
through injury.
Nine-times winners Real though will be without midfielder
Sami Khedira while Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho is
suspended.
The second leg comes next Tuesday at the Nou Camp with the
winners of the tie playing Manchester United or Schalke 04 in
the final at London's Wembley Stadium on May 28.