Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says Barcelona will remain his club's main rival even when coach Pep Guardiola leaves at the end of the season.
Current assistant coach Tito Vilanova is set to replace Guardiola for next season but Mourinho says that "changes nothing."
Mourinho displayed affection toward Guardiola on Tuesday, labeling his decision to take a sabbatical as a "personal" move before saying that he wished him all "the best."
Since Mourinho's arrival at Madrid in 2010, the matches between the two Spanish giants have veered into petulance with Mourinho poking Vilanova in the eye in a game last year that descended into a brawl.
Madrid is on the verge of sealing its first Spanish league title since Guardiola's arrival.