Mourinho's quiet approach bearing fruit for Real

Coach Jose Mourinho was lured to one of the world's richest clubs to build a dynasty that would end Barcelona's pre-eminence and he struck what could be a decisive blow in La Liga's title race with a 2-1 victory over the champions at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

With a seven-point lead at the top of La Liga and four matches left, Real now divert their aim to Barca's European crown.

Mourinho's team will need to replicate the defensive rigour and clinical finishing that did for Barca if they are to reach next month's Champions League final in Munich.

The rules of European football's governing body UEFA dictate the head coach must speak to the media before the home game against Bayern.

However, the lack of controversy seems to have benefited his team, particularly ahead of the 'Clasico' which they won for only the second time in 11 attempts with Mourinho at the helm.

"We were able to rid ourselves of the pressure we felt in previous encounters," Real captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas told reporters.

"We have taken a big step forward. We aren't the finished article yet but we have given ourselves a big lift for the upcoming games."

With Ronaldo working better as a team player, Real are confident they can maintain a 100 percent home record in this season's competition and edge closer to a record 10th European Cup victory.

That could involve having to beat Barca again in the final if Pep Guardiola's side overcome a 1-0 deficit at home to Chelsea in the other semi-final second leg on Tuesday.

Mourinho, in his third successive Champions League semi-final, is eyeing a third triumph in Europe's elite club competition after his victories with Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, the latter after a 2-0 final win over Bayern at the Bernabeu.

Bayern, who have won three out of four semi-finals against Real, have a slender advantage thanks to Mario Gomez's late strike in the first leg and arrive boosted after Franck Ribery grabbed a stoppage-time winner at Werder Bremen on Saturday.