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The Duellists: Pepe, Jose and the Birth of Football's Greatest Rivalry
In April 2011, Barcelona and Real Madrid faced each other four times in just 18 days: twice in Champions League semi-finals, once in La Liga, again in the Copa del Rey. Those 18 days descended into a strained, feverish period that defined an era for one of football's most intense rivalries. Barcelona was Guardiola's past and his present. Born and raised in Catalonia, he had grown up at the club, eventually witnessing the footballing philosophy of his idol Johan Cruyff first-hand. With the Dutchman as manager and Guardiola his midfield conductor, Barcelona lifted their first European Cup crown in 1992. Nearly 20 years later and it was Guardiola implementing Cruyff's teachings in his own gifted and independent way; a methodology which had already led the club to more dizzying success. Mourinho -- a man with his own history at Barcelona -- had arrived at Real after the triumph of his treble-winning season at Internazionale, where he became the first man to truly upset Pep's dream team. Mourinho was attempting to stamp his authority on his new dressing room in Madrid, overhauling the natural hierarchy inside it by establishing himself as its absolute leader. He was doing his utmost to take Los Blancos back to their former glories. Both coaches had their own warriors on the pitch. Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets were seen as the proud Catalan nationalists, while Sergio Ramos was viewed as loyal to the Spanish crown. Pepe was the cold, ruthless assassin faced with the unstoppable Lionel Messi and his dancing feet. Each one of them would put their bodies on the line for their side during this quick-fire burst of matches, during which tension would be raised to levels never seen before on a football pitch in the modern era.
192 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 30, 2016
Primavera 2011, 4 clasicos in 18 giorni. La crisi dei missili di Cuba in confronto è un bisticcio di condominio.
November 14, 2017
The brilliant ‘The Duellists’ by Paolo Condò isn’t a book for a general audience. In fact, it’s probably not even a book for general sports fans. What it is, however, is a book for football fans and especially those interested in the rivalry (no, more of an intensely personal war) that was the focus of the football world between 2010-2012. Pep vs Mou. Beauty vs The Beast. Obi Wan Kenobi vs Darth Vader. Football vs Anti-football. This is all a potential reader needs to know before deciding whether to read this book or not.
Paolo Condò, a respected Italian journalist based in Spain, has written a book of laser focus. During an intense 18-day period the two managers squared-up against each other 4 times. Once in the league, once in the cup final, and twice in the Champions League semi-final. These 18 days saw the complete breakdown of relationships between the managers, the club officials and even the players who were Spain teammates like Pique and Ramos who could no longer look each other in the eye.
Condò also does a fantastic job explaining the source of the antipathy between Pep and Mou and his epilogue details the aftermath of this confrontation emotionally and insightfully. This was a classic example of a Pyrrhic victory and the primary reason why Pep needed a year’s sabbatical soon after, and why Mou described his last season at Real as, “the worst of his career.” And now that the 2 managers are back facing each other (in the same city nonetheless) this book seems more relevant to Manchester United and City fans than ever before. Will we have another all-out war between the two, or has that experience in 2010-12 scarred each of them to the point where Mou has not once commented on Manchester City?
I would also like to compliment the translator who, in my opinion did a fine job translating from the Italian in English.
Paolo Condò, a respected Italian journalist based in Spain, has written a book of laser focus. During an intense 18-day period the two managers squared-up against each other 4 times. Once in the league, once in the cup final, and twice in the Champions League semi-final. These 18 days saw the complete breakdown of relationships between the managers, the club officials and even the players who were Spain teammates like Pique and Ramos who could no longer look each other in the eye.
Condò also does a fantastic job explaining the source of the antipathy between Pep and Mou and his epilogue details the aftermath of this confrontation emotionally and insightfully. This was a classic example of a Pyrrhic victory and the primary reason why Pep needed a year’s sabbatical soon after, and why Mou described his last season at Real as, “the worst of his career.” And now that the 2 managers are back facing each other (in the same city nonetheless) this book seems more relevant to Manchester United and City fans than ever before. Will we have another all-out war between the two, or has that experience in 2010-12 scarred each of them to the point where Mou has not once commented on Manchester City?
I would also like to compliment the translator who, in my opinion did a fine job translating from the Italian in English.
December 25, 2025
my heart wanted to give it a 4 star but my gut hesitated. however, paolo mentioned about jose that: “He would (almost) never take an immediate decision based on his gut feeling, instead it would be well thought through and calculated.” hence, 4 star it is, then.
put it simply, this is a classic tale of a man who wants to win everything at all costs facing off against a man who wants to win everything without sacrificing his principles. except, this is not just a tale, but an actual real life story.
it’s a brief but nevertheless compelling read and captured both personalities’ well by focusing on what, inarguably, is the most important period that defined their relationship and even their managerial careers and themselves. the el clasico serves as a dazzling backdrop to the breaking down of their relationship and the birth of this seemingly short but spectacular rivalry. you could read their individual biographies, but this period, and their action (and reaction) during it, can reveal to you so much more about them.
although, i’d say that you don’t need to know or understand football to even read this book. all you need to know is exactly what’s written on the synopsis. the football, the clubs rivalry, in a way, feels more like a plot device than anything else. which is funny, because it’s probably the most important point that drives both pep and jose to do what they did in this intense period of football. very, uh, MacGuffin, you could say.
the press conferences are, for me, the centrefold of this book and this rivalry. and what a great recounting this book has shown us. even just from reading, it feels like i was in the room as jose expertly weaved his tales and machinations during his press conferences, planting seeds and sowing them, and being ruined by them eventually. and it was like being in front row seat witnessing pep grappling with the whirlwind that’s jose mourinho and how he finally learned to claw back at jose.
pep might won more trophies in the end of that season, although he might say, and i quoted: “I think, ultimately, Mourinho has won the war.” on the basis that jose succeeded to get pep to engage with his level of pettiness. but there’s a distinct feeling to me that eventually, none of them won, except the football fans who found enjoyment in the midst of all this.
put it simply, this is a classic tale of a man who wants to win everything at all costs facing off against a man who wants to win everything without sacrificing his principles. except, this is not just a tale, but an actual real life story.
it’s a brief but nevertheless compelling read and captured both personalities’ well by focusing on what, inarguably, is the most important period that defined their relationship and even their managerial careers and themselves. the el clasico serves as a dazzling backdrop to the breaking down of their relationship and the birth of this seemingly short but spectacular rivalry. you could read their individual biographies, but this period, and their action (and reaction) during it, can reveal to you so much more about them.
although, i’d say that you don’t need to know or understand football to even read this book. all you need to know is exactly what’s written on the synopsis. the football, the clubs rivalry, in a way, feels more like a plot device than anything else. which is funny, because it’s probably the most important point that drives both pep and jose to do what they did in this intense period of football. very, uh, MacGuffin, you could say.
the press conferences are, for me, the centrefold of this book and this rivalry. and what a great recounting this book has shown us. even just from reading, it feels like i was in the room as jose expertly weaved his tales and machinations during his press conferences, planting seeds and sowing them, and being ruined by them eventually. and it was like being in front row seat witnessing pep grappling with the whirlwind that’s jose mourinho and how he finally learned to claw back at jose.
pep might won more trophies in the end of that season, although he might say, and i quoted: “I think, ultimately, Mourinho has won the war.” on the basis that jose succeeded to get pep to engage with his level of pettiness. but there’s a distinct feeling to me that eventually, none of them won, except the football fans who found enjoyment in the midst of all this.
July 14, 2020
Il racconto dei 18 giorni che "sconvolsero" il calcio mondiale, o dovremmo forse dire, dei 18 giorni più coinvolgenti della storia recente. Barcellona-Real Madrid è la partita delle partite per gli appassionati di calcio, quell'anno le 2 squadre migliori del mondo si affrontarono per 4 volte in così poco tempo ed erano allenate dai 2 allenatori migliori del Mondo.
Eppure di quei giorni non ci ricordiamo delle grandi giocate di Messi e Ronaldo, della genialità di Xavi, Iniesta e Ozil, delle accelerazioni di Di Maria e Kakà, delle parate di Casillas o dei grandi interventi di Puyol, Piqué e Ramos... ma solo della grande guerra fra Mourinho e Guardiola, due che una volta erano amici (o quasi amici) e che arrivarono a detestarsi a vicenda, a rappresentare due modi diversi di interpretare il calcio.
Paolo Condò, un maestro per ogni giornalista sportivo in erba e non solo, ci racconta molti retroscena di quella grande "guerra fredda", con grande enfasi sulle conferenze stampa alle quali lui ha assistito e che sono state il vero fulcro della rivalità. È stato interessante rivivere quei momenti grazie al libro, di certo ben scritto, ma forse l'autore avrebbe potuto approfondire un po' di più il passato di Mourinho al Barcellona, o alcuni aspetti del carattere di Guardiola che sono rimasti "nascosti" fino a quando non ha cominciato a cambiare paese per allenare in altri campionati. Una bella opportunità per raccontare una mini-epoca storica per il calcio... forse non colta appieno
Eppure di quei giorni non ci ricordiamo delle grandi giocate di Messi e Ronaldo, della genialità di Xavi, Iniesta e Ozil, delle accelerazioni di Di Maria e Kakà, delle parate di Casillas o dei grandi interventi di Puyol, Piqué e Ramos... ma solo della grande guerra fra Mourinho e Guardiola, due che una volta erano amici (o quasi amici) e che arrivarono a detestarsi a vicenda, a rappresentare due modi diversi di interpretare il calcio.
Paolo Condò, un maestro per ogni giornalista sportivo in erba e non solo, ci racconta molti retroscena di quella grande "guerra fredda", con grande enfasi sulle conferenze stampa alle quali lui ha assistito e che sono state il vero fulcro della rivalità. È stato interessante rivivere quei momenti grazie al libro, di certo ben scritto, ma forse l'autore avrebbe potuto approfondire un po' di più il passato di Mourinho al Barcellona, o alcuni aspetti del carattere di Guardiola che sono rimasti "nascosti" fino a quando non ha cominciato a cambiare paese per allenare in altri campionati. Una bella opportunità per raccontare una mini-epoca storica per il calcio... forse non colta appieno
December 15, 2021
Gila. Berhubung gue baru mulai nonton bola musim 2010/2011 (itu pun nonton aja yg ada di MNC sama RCTI) gue gatau kalo rivalitas mereka seintens ini. I mean like, THAT INTENSE.
Pep Guardiola is like Mourinho’s dopamine. Pep’s presence gave Mou a huge pleasurbale sensation, so no wonder he kept triggering Pep and all the person behind him.
Selama 18 hari yang melibatkan empat pertandingan El Classico berbeda, Paolo Condo dengan sempurna ngedeskripsiin seluruh rangkaiannya dengan baik. Serius. Tensinya kerasa banget. Pemilihan diksi blio mampu menggambarkan panasnya 18 hari tersebut.
Belum lg referensi2 pop culture doi. Bener2 org yg berwawasan.
Pep Guardiola is like Mourinho’s dopamine. Pep’s presence gave Mou a huge pleasurbale sensation, so no wonder he kept triggering Pep and all the person behind him.
Selama 18 hari yang melibatkan empat pertandingan El Classico berbeda, Paolo Condo dengan sempurna ngedeskripsiin seluruh rangkaiannya dengan baik. Serius. Tensinya kerasa banget. Pemilihan diksi blio mampu menggambarkan panasnya 18 hari tersebut.
Belum lg referensi2 pop culture doi. Bener2 org yg berwawasan.
August 27, 2022
Due allenatori, due concezioni del calcio e della vita, vincenti ma opposti nella loro idea del gioco e della partita. Che comincia negli spogliatoi e nelle conferenze stampa (Mourinho), o guardando ore e ore i video degli avversari ( Guardiola). Tutto concentrato in 18 giorni del 2011, quando Real e Barca si incontrarono per quattro volte nel Clasico. Dando vita alla sfida e al duello che continua ancora oggi tra i due allenatori. Scrittura vivace e brillante, scorrono tattiche, dribbling grandi campioni, catalani e madrilisti eroi e comprimari, epiche e miserie del football del nostro tempo.
February 17, 2021
Ultimamente ho deciso di intraprendere un nuovo tipo di letture, quelle calcistiche. L'anno scorso lessi storie mondiali di Buffa e la biografia di Cruyff, quindi per cambiare un po' argomento e visto che già conoscevo l'autore, ho scelto questo libro.
Sinceramente non mi ha entusiasmato, la lettura non è scorrevole e la prima parte è alquanto tediosa. Mi aspettavo una lettura un po' più avvincete visto il bravissimo giornalista e autore del libro e i due protagonisti che non sono certo tipi banali.
Sinceramente non mi ha entusiasmato, la lettura non è scorrevole e la prima parte è alquanto tediosa. Mi aspettavo una lettura un po' più avvincete visto il bravissimo giornalista e autore del libro e i due protagonisti che non sono certo tipi banali.
February 15, 2022
“Duellanti” è uno dei migliori libri di calcio che abbia letto. Gli indimenticabili 18 giorni del 2011 in cui la Spagna e il mondo del calcio ebbero la fortuna di gustarsi 4 Clasicos furono in realtà, per i due allenatori Pep Guardiola e José Mourinho, giorni di guerra. Paolo Condò riprende la vicenda narrandone aneddoti e dichiarazioni con una prosa magistrale e tipicamente sua e regala poco più di 200 pagine davvero avvincenti e, per quanto mi riguarda, lette in poche ore.
March 4, 2024
Piccola (riferito all'intervallo temporale di eventi coperto) gemma di giornalismo, dedicata ad un confronto di idee, di caratteri, di scelte, tra i più rilevanti dello sport moderno.
La narrazione, come abitudine dell'autore, è scorrevole, ricca di aneddoti, ben centrata sui personaggi principali e i comprimari, capace di restituire molto efficacemente la sensazione di essere presente ai fatti.
La narrazione, come abitudine dell'autore, è scorrevole, ricca di aneddoti, ben centrata sui personaggi principali e i comprimari, capace di restituire molto efficacemente la sensazione di essere presente ai fatti.
August 11, 2017
A beautiful book, where the duel is beyond the football field. After a few pages you're are involved so much than you will be engaged even beyond the end of book!
November 19, 2017
Fascinating reading about a snapshot of mourhino and Guardiolas rivalry. Am sure theres a bit of poetic licence ! Not that sure the author knew much about how Guardiola was preparing for a press conference in his hotel room but there you go ! This also confirms what i was thinking about Mourhino ! It does seem to be all about him and not the team, which isnt the case with Guardiola ! Also confirms the defensive strategist as opposed to Guardiola all out football etc ! Was very interesting and if you like football you will enjoy reading this regardless of who u support !
January 8, 2018
Wonderful read on the intricacies of a football rivalry played out in front of the media. Excellent insight and very well written - and translated.
February 15, 2018
An intricate picture of both the rivalry and of two different coaches.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews