Mourinho: Supercopa is 'tiny little title'

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Mourinho was involved in a nasty altercation with Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova during a sideline melee which included players and officials from both clubs. The incident was sparked by a rash challenge from Marcelo on new Barcelona recruit Cesc Fabregas.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho downplayed the importance of the Spanish Supercopa after his side went down 3-2 in the second leg at the Camp Nou on Wednesday even

However, the 48-year-old manager says the incident, along with the Supercopa trophy itself, means little as the La Liga season looms.

"If we said we are very happy when we do not win a title we would be hypocrites," Mourinho said. "This is a tiny little title, but we are not happy to not have won it, but with the evolution of the team. We played both matches very well, we were fantastic.

"If we look at the matches [against Barcelona] of the last four months, you see there is a great balance. Many draws, one victory for us in a final and one for them today, not to mention the matches which had a story which does not deserve to be told."

Never one to shy away from controversial statements - Mourinho is currently serving a touchline ban in the UEFA Champions League for that reason - the Portuguese tactician took the opportunity after the match to take a swipe at Madrid's fierce rivals.

"From the first minute of the second half, and I will not criticise it, because there are people who do this, the ball boys hid themselves," Mourinho said. "That happens with tiny little teams when they are facing difficulties."

Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola was less than amused regarding the antics of his Real Madrid counterpart.

"The images speak for themselves," Guardiola told Marca of the incident involving Mourinho and Vilanova. "We must be careful, because one day we will cause harm, not on the field but off, and we're all a little responsible for this."

Barca star Gerard Pique also weighed into the debate, suggesting the Madrid boss is having a negativ

e impact on the game in Spain.

"I do not talk about the brawl. But it's a shame, it is not the first time and it's always the same.

"Someone has to take action on the matter. Mourinho is destroying Spanish football. There is talk about the Catalans, but the problem is with Madrid. I think it's going too far. It cannot always end well. In the end this will end very badly."

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