‘An elbow is always a red’ – Barcelona advisor Masip fires back at Mourinho ahead of Camp Nou Clasico

Barcelona advisor hits back at Mourinho over ‘strange things’ claims and Güler elbow

Tensions are rising ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico at Camp Nou as Barcelona advisor Enric Masip has responded directly to Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid.

Masip, who works as an advisor to Joan Laporta, was responding to Mourinho’s recent comments about noticing “strange things” happening in the past around Barcelona and the ongoing references to the Negreira case since the Portuguese coach returned to Madrid in the summer.

“Do you think anyone can question that Guardiola’s Barça, which was winning titles, needed any help? It’s ridiculous, laughable,” Masip said.

“He [Mourinho], who was there, says he saw strange things and that he already noticed things. Of course you noticed. You noticed that it was a team that was running all over you, that played better football than you, and that beat you fair and square. That’s what you noticed.”

Masip added: “When someone says they see strange things… strange things is like poking a finger at a coach. When things aren’t going your way, you should improve and not spend your time attacking others.”

Masip points to Güler elbow and Bernabeu incidents

The advisor also spoke about Arda Güler not receiving a red card despite appearing to elbow Peque in Real Madrid’s La Liga encounter against Sevilla.

“Didn’t anyone see the elbow? It also happened with a goal by Lewandowski or Lamine at the Bernabéu, where, curiously, that camera wasn’t working. And it was the only angle where it was clear the ball had crossed the line,” he said.

“And we didn’t make a fuss or spend all day crying about it. It’s a mistake, and you have to accept it. Interestingly, that always seems to go the same way.”

On the Güler incident, Masip was unequivocal: “The images of Güler weren’t clear, but it’s an elbow, that’s it, period. An elbow is a red card. The next day they don’t talk about it... but if there’s an incident in Seville, the whole machine kicks into gear to talk about that situation.”

Mourinho’s pre-Clasico complaints

Mourinho’s complaints have already started ahead of the game. Speaking after his team’s midweek win over RB Leipzig, the Real Madrid coach moaned about his team having “24 hours less rest” than Barcelona.