GDANSK, POLAND (AP) - The tension in Spain’s team between Real Madrid and Barcelona players could flare up when Jose Mourinho shows up to watch their first European Championship match.
The Madrid coach will be at the PGE Arena in Gdansk for Sunday’s match against Italy amid a feud between Mourinho and Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez.
Mourinho says it’s his “duty” to be by the side of Madrid’s international players at the tournament.
Xavi recently said in an interview with Spain’s Canal Plus TV that Barcelona’s 5-0 victory over Madrid in December 2010 created tension in the World Cup champions’ team.
Xavi says “there were problems between friends” but coach Vicente del Bosque and Carles Puyol helped repair the situation.
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