Despite the subpar season, the Roma brass and the fans are fully behind José Mourinho and the current three-year technical project.
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: AS Roma coach Jose’ Mourinho looks on before the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 08, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Roma Coach Jose Mourinho to Face Barcelona for the 28th Time

Barcelona confirmed on Wednesday that they will face Jose Mourinho’s Roma in a pre-season friendly at the Camp Nou. The ex-Real Madrid manager possesses a rich history against the Blaugrana since his early managerial days at Inter, with the Nerazzurri’s exploits at the stadium in their 2009/10 treble-winning season etching deep in UEFA Champions League folklore.

The last time the Special One faced Barcelona was in 2013 – his last season in Los Blancos’ dugout after having led them for three years during which he spearheaded an intense rivalry against fellow El Clasico foe Pep Guardiola.

He will face Barcelona this time on August 6, in the Joan Gamper Trophy. The match will be the final pre-season game for the Catalonians before La Liga is scheduled to begin on August 12. However, Roma’s pre-season friendlies are not yet fully scheduled and it remains to be seen how their preparations turn out before Serie A starts.

Barcelona are the team he has faced the second-highest number of times in his career – 27 times – but one that he has struggled to muster results out on a regular basis, winning just 8 times. He has lost 10 and drawn 9 of his encounters against the Spanish giants.