Bernd Schuster slams Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for team selection versus Barcelona

The former Blancos coach has voiced his opinion that the Portuguese boss made huge mistakes with his choices for the first Copa del Rey match against the Catalans

By Stefan Coerts

Bernd Schuster
Getty


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Bernd Schuster has criticised Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho for his team selection in the first-leg of the Santiago Bernabeu side's Copa del Rey quarter-final against arch-rivals Barcelona earlier this month.

The former Real Madrid coach feels that the Portuguese trainer made costly mistakes by including Ricardo Carvalho in his starting XI, and using Pepe in midfield.

"I could hardly believe it when I saw the team selection. No one knows what happened there. I'd really like to know what he [Mourinho] was thinking there. Giving a player the nod who hadn't played a long time, and using Pepe in midfield. It was weird," Schuster said to Onda Cero.

"I think that we all agree that it was a mess that particular day. No disrespect to anybody, but it really was horrible, or what ever you want to call it.

"It's a real shame that this happened, because Madrid could have eliminated Barcelona there. It's too easy to always complain about the referee."

Real Madrid were beaten 2-1 in the first leg, before being held to a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou in the return, losing 4-3 on aggregate.

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