Homepage > Jose Mourinho Sad But Relaxed

Jose Mourinho Sad But Relaxed

11/12/2011 19:13

Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho 'sad but relaxed' after losing to Barcelona in the Clasico

The Portuguese was in reflexive mood after losing out to the Catalans, believing his side were unlucky at key moments. He also lamented two chances missed by Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said the dressing room was 'sad but relaxed' after his side's 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in the Clasico on Saturday, but admitted his frustration at two chances missed by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Madrid took the lead through Karim Benzema after just 22 seconds, but went in at half-time at 1-1 after Alexis Sanchez levelled.

And it was one-way traffic after the break as Barca stepped up a gear, went ahead through a Marcelo own goal [when the Brazilian was unfortunate to deflect Xavi's shot into his own net] and later sealed a vital victory thanks to a Cesc Fabregas header.

"The first half was balanced, but the goal in second half was pure luck and nothing more," a melancholic Mourinho told reporters after the game.

"After that, they had the psycological supremacy that comes with being in front and they were able to pass the ball around and keep it as they love to do.

"But luck plays a part. With the [score at] 1-0, we should have gone 2-0 up, which under normal circumstances we would have, because Cristiano [Ronaldo] normally puts the ball inside [the goal]."

Ronaldo blasted well wide in the first half when normally he would have hit the target and also missed a great headed opportunity to make it 2-2 in the second period.

During the game, Mourinho also appeared angered by the referee's refusal to award Lionel Messi a yellow card for a clumsy foul on Xabi Alonso in midfield when he had already been booked.

Following the incident, the Portuguese encouraged jeers from the crowd, but after the match he admitted he would need to see a replay of the challenge.

"[At the time] I thought Messi should have been sent off, but until I see it again I will not say anything about it," he explained.

Madrid face Sevilla in their next Liga fixture, and Mourinho underlined the importance of getting back to winning ways in seven days' time.

"We are level on points now [with Barca] but we have a game in hand. If we win at Sevilla [in our next match], we will be the leaders," he added.

"The dressing room is sad but relaxed."