25.11.2010 12:17

Guardiola: 4 out of 4 against Madrid

Roger Bogunyà

Josep Guardiola has a perfect record against Real Madrid. He is looking make it five wins out of five against the club’s biggest rival.

It is difficult to beat any team four times out of four, but against Madrid it’s an especially impressive achievement. The number of goals Guardiola’s teams have put past Madrid recently is simply staggering. Eleven for and just two against. We look back at the four clásicos Guardiola has managed to date.

December 13, 2008 (2-0). Guardiola’s first clásico, and a late win. FC Barcelona didn’t go ahead until the 82nd minute through Eto’o. Messi sentenced the match, which put FCB 12 points ahead of Madrid.

May 2, 2009 (2-6). One of the most glorious results in club history, as the Santiago Bernabéu, was stunned by a six-goal rout of the home side, which was hoping to make up a four-point deficit. Henry (2), Messi (2), Puyol and Piqué scored on that unforgettable night in the Spanish capital, which also as good as left the league championship decided.

November 29, 2009 (1-0). The tightest game Guardiola has had so far against Madrid. Busquets was sent off with half an hour to go, but Ibrahimovic had already given his side a one-goal lead. Some desperate defending was required to hang on, but Barça managed to do it, and therefore celebrated their 110th anniversary in the best possible fashion.

April 10, 2010 (0-2). Goals from Messi and Pedro, one in each half, meant Barcelona moved ahead of Madrid, with whom they were tied in the league table going into the match. Barcelona were on course for their second league title in a row, and this also meant that for the first time ever, they had won four league matches in a row against the old enemy.