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Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho: We want to be alone at the top of La Liga
The 48-year-old is satisfied with his squad's progress so far and expressed his sympathy for injured Barcelona striker David Villa, who broke his leg in Thursday's Al Sadd clash
16 Dec 2011 16:46:00
By Livio Caferoglu
Getty
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has praised his team for putting themselves in an advantageous position midway through the Primera Division season.
The Portuguese boss urged critics to take a general outlook on their performance, rather than focus simply on their failings against rivals Barcelona.
"We are co-leaders in the league, we won every game in the Champions League and we played in the Copa del Rey. We are league-leaders and now want to be alone," Mourinho said during a press conference ahead of Madrid's meeting with Sevilla on Saturday.
"The league is different from cups. Last year we were two points behind the leader at the end of December. Now we can extend the difference to three points, stay one ahead or be tied [with Barcelona].
"Either option is better than last year, but no situation is final, nobody expected it to be. The motivation is that there are no points to make up this time."
The former Inter boss also expressed his sympathy for Barcelona striker David Villa, following his leg break against Al Sadd in the Club World Cup on Thursday.
"I know how it will affect Barcelona, but major injuries sadden me, whoever the player and whoever the team," said Mourinho. "I'm terribly sorry."
Mourinho went on to discuss the potential threat posed by Sevilla, likening the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to a fortress, but is confident Madrid will prevail.
"I think [the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan] is one of the most complicated pitches in the league, but we have studied [Sevilla], we know what their strengths are and they can play with a forward or two, more or less closed, with or without backlash. We are prepared.
"Madrid has had a very difficult schedule; the Madrid derby, the Clasico, Valencia, San Sebastian, Gijon - we've had more games on the road than anyone."
Mourinho also confirmed that winger Angel Di Maria will be available for selection against Sevilla after returning to Argentina to mourn the death of his father.
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The Portuguese boss urged critics to take a general outlook on their performance, rather than focus simply on their failings against rivals Barcelona.
"We are co-leaders in the league, we won every game in the Champions League and we played in the Copa del Rey. We are league-leaders and now want to be alone," Mourinho said during a press conference ahead of Madrid's meeting with Sevilla on Saturday.
"The league is different from cups. Last year we were two points behind the leader at the end of December. Now we can extend the difference to three points, stay one ahead or be tied [with Barcelona].
"Either option is better than last year, but no situation is final, nobody expected it to be. The motivation is that there are no points to make up this time."
The former Inter boss also expressed his sympathy for Barcelona striker David Villa, following his leg break against Al Sadd in the Club World Cup on Thursday.
"I know how it will affect Barcelona, but major injuries sadden me, whoever the player and whoever the team," said Mourinho. "I'm terribly sorry."
Mourinho went on to discuss the potential threat posed by Sevilla, likening the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to a fortress, but is confident Madrid will prevail.
"I think [the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan] is one of the most complicated pitches in the league, but we have studied [Sevilla], we know what their strengths are and they can play with a forward or two, more or less closed, with or without backlash. We are prepared.
"Madrid has had a very difficult schedule; the Madrid derby, the Clasico, Valencia, San Sebastian, Gijon - we've had more games on the road than anyone."
Mourinho also confirmed that winger Angel Di Maria will be available for selection against Sevilla after returning to Argentina to mourn the death of his father.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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