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Wednesday, 22 August 2012

Jose Meets Tito in Super Copa Rematch


Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has played down last season's row with Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova before the two teams meet in Thursday's Super Cup.

Mourinho jabbed then-Barcelona assistant Vilanova in the eye in last year's Spanish showpiece fixture.

Vilanova retaliated by slapping Mourinho and the bans both men received were later overturned.

"This isn't about Pep or Tito, this is about [playing] Barca and that's how we're approaching it," said Mourinho.

Barcelona won a fiery second leg at the Nou Camp 3-2 to claim last season's Super Cup 5-4 on aggregate, although Real Madrid went on to win the Spanish league title.

This time, in the first El Clasico of the new campaign, the first leg will be at the Nou Camp with the return at the Bernabeu on 30 September.

"I think it's a game that will have little effect [on the season]," said Mourinho. "If I could choose, I'd choose what happened last year where we lost the Super Cup and won the league.

"If losing is a motivation for winning the league, I'd sign off on it now."

Mourinho's record against Barca
Mourinho has faced Barcelona 11 times since taking charge of Real Madrid. He has lost five, drawn four and won two.

Barcelona go into the match following a 5-1 win over Real Sociedad in their first league game of the season, while Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Valencia.

Real will be without central defender Pepe after he suffered concussion against Valencia, which could mean Raul Albiol coming in as a replacement.

Barcelona may give a debut to midfielder Alex Song after he completed his move from Arsenal.

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