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Xabi Alonso: Jose Mourinho has said nothing about leaving Real Madrid
The Spain midfielder insisted that los Blancos are currently focused on matters on the field and admitted he is desperate to win both La Liga and the Champions League this season
8 Feb 2012 19:03:00
By Mark Doyle
Getty Images
Xabi Alonso has revealed that coach Jose Mourinho has not said anything to Real Madrid's players about quitting the club at the end of the season.
It was claimed last month that Mourinho had already decided to depart in the summer but Madrid forward Jose Callejon claimed on Tuesday that the Portuguese coach, in spite of recent criticism from certain sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, is happy in the Spanish capital.
Alonso has now stated that the former Chelsea boss has not expressed any desire to walk away from Madrid.
"The coach has not said anything," the Spain midfielder told reporters at a 'Women's Foundation for Africa' event on Wednesday.
"We are focused on playing. That is the most important thing at the moment."
Madrid are currently seven points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division and some pundits have argued that the title race is as good as over.
However, while the pressure is building on los Blancos to end their Catalan rivals' era of dominance, Alonso insists that the players are remaining calm.
"Having this lead does not change our way of playing," the former Liverpool man insisted. "We are not obsessed with it and we will not change our way of doing things.
"We will continue in the same manner."
However, Alonso admitted that he is desperate to end the season by lifting some silverware.
"I'd love to win La Liga and the Champions League," he confessed. "They are the two major competitions for us and if I had to pick one, I would be hard pressed to do so."
Madrid return to Liga action against Levante on Sunday, with Barca set to face Osasuna the night before.
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It was claimed last month that Mourinho had already decided to depart in the summer but Madrid forward Jose Callejon claimed on Tuesday that the Portuguese coach, in spite of recent criticism from certain sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, is happy in the Spanish capital.
Alonso has now stated that the former Chelsea boss has not expressed any desire to walk away from Madrid.
"The coach has not said anything," the Spain midfielder told reporters at a 'Women's Foundation for Africa' event on Wednesday.
"We are focused on playing. That is the most important thing at the moment."
Madrid are currently seven points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Primera Division and some pundits have argued that the title race is as good as over.
However, while the pressure is building on los Blancos to end their Catalan rivals' era of dominance, Alonso insists that the players are remaining calm.
"Having this lead does not change our way of playing," the former Liverpool man insisted. "We are not obsessed with it and we will not change our way of doing things.
"We will continue in the same manner."
However, Alonso admitted that he is desperate to end the season by lifting some silverware.
"I'd love to win La Liga and the Champions League," he confessed. "They are the two major competitions for us and if I had to pick one, I would be hard pressed to do so."
Madrid return to Liga action against Levante on Sunday, with Barca set to face Osasuna the night before.
Starting in November and continuing through to the middle of February, Goal.com is publishing exclusive extracts from Graham Hunter's highly-anticipated new book, 'Barca: The Making of the Greatest Team in the World'. The last extract looked at how Barca suffered rare disappointment at the hands of Real Madrid in a gripping finale to last season's Copa del Rey. Don't miss it!
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
21:38 BST
And it's now 3-1 to Turkey! An own goal from Pepe and we're into time added on. Do people think Portugal will qualify from their group?
21:34 BST
Into the final few minutes with Portugal still 2-1 down to Turkey. Cristiano Ronaldo missed his second ever penalty for Portugal earlier on.
21:12 BST
Elsewhere in Europe, Portugal are currently losing at home to Turkey. Not looking good for them at the Euros!
21:03 BST
As promised, here is the match report on Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland.
21:00 BST
And here's more from Roy Hodgson on the injury concerns in the England squad.
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