Despite Guardiola’s achievements, Karanka was in no mood to pay him too many compliments. “La Liga exists with and without Guardiola. It would exist with or without Karanka and similarly with Mourinho. Guardiola has won several titles, but he is already in the past,” said Karanka at on the eve of Madrid’s home encounter against Sevilla. A win could see Madrid dethrone Spanish League champions Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Barca will be without Gerard Pique and Xavi Hernandez for the visit to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. Xavi is sidelined for around two weeks with a muscle tear in his left calf while Pique is recovering from a clash of heads suffered in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.