The Real Champs
Fansided

Revisiting Jose Mourinho’s reign as Real Madrid manager

By Sahel Kazi

LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 06: Coach Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid speaks during a news conference on August 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Real Madrid will play Los Angeles Galaxy on August 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, as they continue their pre-season tour of USA. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - AUGUST 06: Coach Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid speaks during a news conference on August 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Real Madrid will play Los Angeles Galaxy on August 7 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, as they continue their pre-season tour of USA. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next

World class yet outclassed, 2010-11

Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) /

Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge was nothing short of a success. Yet, the season ended with just one trophy to their name. Madridistas felt hard done by as their league record was near-impeccable but they simply couldn’t topple Barcelona’s sheer dominance.

Real Madrid finished the season with 92 points to Barcelona’s 96. The rivalry between the two clubs had almost reached a peak but the Blaugrana almost always got the better of Los Blancos when the two faced in El Clasicos.

They faced off five times that very season, with Barcelona ending on top in both sets of fixtures in the league and a historic win in the Champions League semi-final. Real Madrid, however, had the last laugh. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the header that would end Barcelona’s dream of another treble.

It was more than just a Copa del Rey triumph. It was also proof that Real Madrid could defeat Barcelona on the big occasion, at a period of time when Guardiola’s side were looking absolutely unstoppable and still are regarded by many as the greatest team ever assembled.

On the other hand, Mourinho had assembled a team of warriors, engrained with his perfectionist persona and with the belief that they would end Barcelona’s dominance and be champions again. Their Champions League campaign saw progress too, although it was disappointing how they’d been so visibly outclassed by their rivals despite finishing with over 90 points for a second season running and doing well in every other competition.

Home/Analysis