Outwitting Alex Ferguson has never been so important for Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho as he potentially puts his short and long-term future on the line in the last-16 match against Manchester United in the Champions League.
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With Madrid trailing Barcelona by 16 points in the Spanish League, the pressure is on Mourinho to deliver success in Europe and win the continent's most glittering prize for the club for the 10th time.
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Widespread opinion in Spain suggests his job depends on it.
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'' Are you worried with my crisis? I am not '', Mourinho said at a news conference on Tuesday.
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In another intriguing sub-plot surrounding arguably the most glamorous match in European football, the Portuguese coach may also see the game as an audition for his chances of replacing Ferguson at United when the 71-year-old Scot ends his long stint at Old Trafford.
This is a big clash of the titans.
Cannot wait to see the game