REAL Madrid captain Iker Casillas has dismissed Barcelona's recent dominance as a "passing fad" and predicted Jose Mourinho will inspire a new period of supremacy at the Bernabeu.
Barca have claimed the last two Primera Division crowns and the 2009 Champions League with a fluid passing style which has won them a new army of admirers.
But Casillas is adamant Mourinho's more pragmatic approach will pay dividends in the long term.
He told Marca: "We are able to stand up to them. We compare favourably with them and we are only a couple of months, perhaps a season away from them.
"This is the best Barca in history and they have been in fashion but this is just a passing fad.
"Mourinho is a very important addition for us.
"He is the ideal coach for his character and the way he expresses himself to the players.
"I think he will succeed at Real Madrid."
Madrid have not won a domestic trophy for two years but have started the new Primera Division season strongly.
They currently lie in fourth position, two points behind leaders Valencia and a point ahead of Barca.
But Casillas is adamant Mourinho's more pragmatic approach will pay dividends in the long term.
He told Marca: "We are able to stand up to them. We compare favourably with them and we are only a couple of months, perhaps a season away from them.
"This is the best Barca in history and they have been in fashion but this is just a passing fad.
"Mourinho is a very important addition for us.
"He is the ideal coach for his character and the way he expresses himself to the players.
"I think he will succeed at Real Madrid."
Madrid have not won a domestic trophy for two years but have started the new Primera Division season strongly.
They currently lie in fourth position, two points behind leaders Valencia and a point ahead of Barca.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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