Alkorta: Mourinho went too far

Former Real Madrid defender Rafael Alkorta says Jose Mourinho’s eye-gouging of Tito Vilanova was the worst thing he has seen in a Clasico match.

Alkorta, 44, won two Liga titles with the club during the 1990s and experienced several crunch clashes with arch-rivals Barcelona.

But Alkorta described the infamous eye gouging incident, in which Mourinho physically hurt Barca coach Tito Vilanova in August 2011, as ‘the worst gesture’ he had seen between the two teams.

“Mourinho, I understand him to a certain extent, when he did everything to provoke,” Alkorta told France Football.

“I’ve played and seen many clasicos and I can assure you that this is the worst gesture that has ever existed in the history of this rivalry.

“It is normal to get excited in such an action packed game, but on that occasion Mourinho went too far.”

Alkorta said the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach had no need to add any further fuel to the rivalry between the two clubs.

“Mourinho no longer needs to ignite El Clasico,” he said.

“Today’s Real is stronger, especially mentally. He demonstrated, especially in La Liga last season, that Madrid had lost their complex and they could make their law, even in Camp Nou.

“What happened last time was because he knew that his team was less (not as good) on the pitch and it was necessary to find tricks to try to beat Barca.”