Barça has 5-point lead on Real

All seemed to be going smoothly for Real Madrid against Getafe. There wasn't much of a crowd to contend with, despite it being an away fixture, and its southern Madrid opponents were struggling to make an impact on the game. The opening goal from Higuaín was no less than the champions deserved, having dominated the encounter and so nearly gone ahead several minutes earlier, when Cristiano played in Özil, who crashed his shot against the bar with the goal gaping.

But, as time wore on and Madrid failed to add to its advantage before the break, things began to unravel, culminating in defeat. Mourinho is now winless in three competitive fixtures this season, the 1-1 draw against Valencia followed by losses to Barcelona (3-2) and Getafe (2-1).

Just like in its league opener against Valencia at the Bernabéu, Madrid conceded from a set piece. Barrada, Getafe's hero on the night, curled in a free-kick to around the penalty spot, where a sea of white shirts failed to pick up Valera, who planted a header into the corner beyond Casillas' belated dive.

From that point on, Madrid began to rush things. With Benzema on for Higuaín and Callejón replacing Marcelo, a mixture of carelessness, nerves, over eagerness and a well-drilled Getafe side kept the champions at bay. Worse was still to come when Colunga won back possession and played in Barrada, who drilled the ball past Casillas.

Increasingly desperate, Mourinho turned to the young academy product Morata, who came on for Di María but was unable to save the blushes of the team led by the self-anointed "The Only One".

Tottenham to sell Modric to Real Madrid

Real Madrid has announced that it has signed a partnership agreement with Tottenham and has reached an agreement for the transfer of Luka Modric, subject to medical revision.

The croatian player made 160 appearances for Totteham, scoring 17 goals, and moves for a fee thought to be worth, €35 million, plus another €7m in various add-ons.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez Rodriguez added: "The strong relationship and affinity between our two clubs has resulted in the cementing of a longer-term partnership and the successful transfer of Luka Modric.

"We are delighted to welcome Luka and look forward to working closely with Tottenham in the coming years."

BARCELONA vs REAL MADRID 3-2 All Goals

Tito passes with honors his first test against Mou

The Super Cup, contested by the previous year's league and Spanish Cup champions – in this case, Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively – is the first major trophy up for grabs in the Spanish football season.

What's more, both this year and last the cup has taken on additional importance as the first instalment in the series of 'Superclásico' matches between the two biggest rivals in Spanish football. Winning thus offers a significant psychological advantage and gives the winner a major morale boost ahead of subsequent Real Madrid-Barcelona clashes throughout the season.

These fixtures are often decisive in the league, where each point is vital and the two teams necessarily meet every season, and potentially in the Spanish Cup and the Champions League, depending on the luck of the draw.

This year's Super Cup also represents Tito Vilanova's first chance to get his hands on some domestic silverware as Barça manager and, perhaps even more significantly, his first ever match in charge against Real Madrid. This makes it an important baptism for him in the eyes of fans and the board that has entrusted him to lead the team. So far, he has passed the test with honors.

While Mourinho is respected across the planet and has earned the right to the odd slip-up – his Madrid team was thrashed 5-0 by Barça in 2010 – Vilanova has just made his Superclásico debut in the managerial hotseat, meaning he had double the pressure on his shoulders.

Both Mourinho and Vilanova have tried to play down the importance of this competition, as they'll have to face much bigger challenges during the season. But the truth remains that a match between Real Madrid and Barcelona will always be a crucial duel, and even more when there's a trophy at stake.

By any token, both coaches will be forced to face this same pressure again in the decisive return leg at the Bernabéu, set to take place on 29th August. Then all the off-the-pitch talking will pale into the background as the action on the pitch crowns the first champion of a season that promises to be as hotly contested as ever.

Valdés error gives Real Madrid a chance

A dull first half and a frantic second half. Barcelona dominated the first Superclasico of the season as evidenced by an overwhelming ball possession (73%). Real Madrid had their chances and at times proved to be an irresistible force on the counter-attack. But in the end, Tito Vilanova's boys were far superior and won fairly, although the final score (3-2) very much leaves Los Blancos' chances intact to win the Spanish Supercopa in the second leg.

The tight final score was due to an error by Victor Valdés with five minutes left in the match. The Barcelona goalkeeper fumbled a back-pass in front of Angel Di Maria and the Argentine made no mistake in the 85th minute slotting home for the goal. Until then, the game was closer to a 4-1 in favor of Barcelona than the actual final outcome.

From the very start, Barcelona showed no signs of wanting to change its traditional style of play. Tito's team wanted to possess the ball and to rule inside the pitch. But Real Madrid, with a solid defence, displayed its recognized ability to counter-attack, making sure the home team could not feel at all comfortable during the first minutes. The local club touched the ball in the midfield, but was unable to penetrate the opponent's box.

Gradually, Real Madrid's defence began to show weaknesses allowing Barça to have several shots on goal. Possession was at 73% in favor of the locals in the first part of the first half, a statistic that wouldn't change all game long. Barcelona felt more and more comfortable and enjoyed several chances while Real Madrid had to rely on fast counters, earning some corners and free kicks, but unable to shoot between the poles.

The second half started at a diabolic pace and both teams had its share of good chances during the first minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with an unstoppable header, after a corner kicked by Mesut Ozil (55'). Barcelona's response was immediate. It took only a minute for Pedro to score the equalizer, thanks to a magnificent assist by Mascherano (56'). It was claimed that the Canarian winger was in an offside position, but the assistant referee didn't see it that way.

From that moment on, both teams went on full throttle. The Superclásico was at its very best and the feeling was that anything could happen. But eventually Barcelona managed to show its superiority again. Messi scored a penalty kick (70') after Sergio Ramos took down Iniesta in the area and everything seemed to become easier for the local side.

Iniesta, probably the best player of the match, then gave a brilliant assist to Xavi, who scored the third goal for Barça right in front of Casillas. Everything appeared to be going off without a hitch for Barcelona when suddenly, Di María, who had replaced Callejón, stole the ball from Valdés's feet and comfortably scored before an empty goal. The keeper's gaffe sets the stage for next Thursday's return leg at Bernabéu where the next Superclásico will crown the Spanish Supercopa winner.

Mourinho's five commandments

There is no special plan as such for the match at the Camp Nou, but the team will be expected to fulfil five "must-dos", commandments if you will. Recent clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona have demonstrated that Mourinho's strategy has borne fruit, allowing 'Los Blancos' to win the Spanish Cup and last season's league championship. Mourinho is more convinced than ever that these five commandments are the key to success at the Camp Nou.

Besides demanding his team plays with maximum intensity and at a high tempo, there are a number of methods he has devised to thwart the threat of an opponent Madrid knows all too well.

1. Keeping a high line

Pepe's injury is the biggest spanner in the works. With Pepe in the team, the plan was to push the defensive line up as close to the midfield as possible, compressing the pitch and catching Barça in the offside trap. Albiol is a different type of centre-back. He is less mobile than Pepe and less accustomed to playing in a high defensive line against an opposition that specialises in creating spaces going forward.

2. Flooding the midfield

With Pepe out, the rearguard needs extra protection, and one way of doing this is flooding the midfield. The players in the centre of the park will be asked to play as close together as possible. We can't rule out the possibility of Xabi Alonso, Lass and Khedira lining up to form a defensive midfield trio, or a "high-pressure triangle", as Mourinho likes to call it. The idea is to limit the space available and pressure the opposition into making mistakes. Once the team wins the ball back, it will be looking to launch immediate counterattacks. In the last league meeting between the two, in which Madrid ran out 2-1 winners, the pressuring carried out across the pitch was vital in unsettling and neutralising Barça and stifling their talent. As the Madrid players say, "you have to work for each other".

3. Isolating Messi

The aim of this system is to double up to stop Messi getting the ball and, when he does so, for him to be isolated, unable to turn or link up with his teammates. The idea is to cut Messi off, as the Argentine is the fulcrum of Barcelona's attacking play and can open teams up with his changes of pace and decisive passing. Messi is in top form, as he proved against Real Sociedad, scoring a brace and slicing through the opposition backline on several occasions. Mourinho is aiming to block off his supply. When Madrid loses the ball, its players will have to show anticipation in order to pressure effectively.

4. Dealing better with the aerial threat

Set pieces and aerial balls are Real Madrid's Achilles heel. This bête noire reared its head once again on Sunday against Valencia, when Jonas headed in a free-kick taken by Tino Costa. Against Real Sociedad, meanwhile, Barcelona scored yet again from a corner following its usual routine, with Puyol the target for Xavi's deliveries. Madrid ought to be a tall enough team to deal with these set plays.

5. Making the most of free spaces and chances

Playing a high line, flooding the midfield and applying intense pressure off the ball all aim to help Real Madrid create chances. Mourinho and his team know that they need to get a positive result at the Camp Nou, and this means scoring. Barcelona does leave spaces on the pitch and these must be exploited to the maximum.

Zenit sounds out Afellay

Ibrahim Afellay has no shortage of options should he choose to leave Barça. He has received contact from Lille, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04, Arsenal, Inter Milan and, last but not least, Zenit. The Russian champion is desperate to land the Dutchman at any cost, but Barça is not going to make it easy for the Saint Petersburg-based club.

The 'Azulgranas' value Afellay at €8-10 million, and are willing to block his departure if this valuation isn't me. Above it, the club is determined to avoid selling him on the cheap.

Another key factor is the fact that Afellay isn't keen on a Barça exit. "Afellay is definitely on the list, but we have only enquired about availability and not made a bid. If Barcelona or the player himself do not want to negotiate our interest will end" said Luciano Spalletti, the Zenit manager.