A clear example of Guardiola's method is playing with a false number nine. Before going to the Bernabeu in 2009, he decided to play without a fixed striker, which made all the systems that Atletico Madrid had prepared for winning the game meaningless. The plan had amazing results, Barcelona won 6-2 and that match will be remembered forever.
The clashes with Mourinho have created a lot of tension. Real Madrid appointed him in an attempt to block the way Barca play and the way they win, as he eliminated Barca in the champions league semi-final stages in 2010 [as Inter Milan manager]. Things changed after Barca won 5-0 at the end of November 2010. As if Madrid had understood that the gap [between the two teams] was huge, they started planning the game in their own way. This creates a lot of tension and some unpleasant moments.
Sergio Ramos holds the unfortunate La Liga record for the most red cards per player (26), 5 of which were won against Barcelona, making him a Legend for Real Madrid. In a particularly nasty 2009 game in Klasiko, where Real Madrid lost 5-0 in injury time, he was heavy on Messi, at least fighting for something for his side that day. He then played with two Barca players on his way to the dressing room.
Harvey said: "About the 2011 Champions League: Mourinho provoked us so much, again and again, and finally we veterans really wanted to get a response from Guardiola. When we watched his pre-match press conference [Guardiola lashed out at Mourinho], we loved it. "But these are just verbal battles, and only the outcome of the final game is the best way to convince them, and look forward to the final result."