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Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho: February is a harder month for us than for Barcelona
The Portuguese coach has stated that the Santiago Bernabeu outfit have more difficult games to play than their Catalan rivals, as the capital-city side look to stay top of La Liga
11-Feb-2012 6:04:34 PM
By Gareth McKnight
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has stated that he feels his side have a more difficult fixture list in February than rivals Barcelona.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit currently sit seven points clear at the top of La Liga, as the Portuguese coach looks to lead Los Blancos to their first title since 2007-08.
However, the ex-Inter coach is not expecting any easy games over the next three weeks.
"February is perhaps more complicated for us than for Barcelona," he told reporters at a press conference.
"We play against Levante, who are fourth in the standings, Racing [Santander], who are in recovery, Rayo Vallecano, who are surely one of the revelations of the tournament, and Espanyol, who are fighting to get into Europe.
"We have a number of difficult games in February that mean it is unlikely that any team has a more complicated series [of fixtures]," he stated adamantly.
The capital-city side host Juan Ignacio Martinez's team on Sunday and the 49-year-old is expecting a hard-fought contest, especially as Levante are the only team to have beaten Madrid in the league this season, other than Barca.
"Levante should be applauded, but not just for winning that game, but by being where they are [in the table] in February," Mourinho added.
"Not in October or November, when everyone thought they would slip down the table. They have an impressive group of players, coaches and club."
Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu is at 21.30CET on Sunday.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit currently sit seven points clear at the top of La Liga, as the Portuguese coach looks to lead Los Blancos to their first title since 2007-08.
However, the ex-Inter coach is not expecting any easy games over the next three weeks.
"February is perhaps more complicated for us than for Barcelona," he told reporters at a press conference.
"We play against Levante, who are fourth in the standings, Racing [Santander], who are in recovery, Rayo Vallecano, who are surely one of the revelations of the tournament, and Espanyol, who are fighting to get into Europe.
"We have a number of difficult games in February that mean it is unlikely that any team has a more complicated series [of fixtures]," he stated adamantly.
The capital-city side host Juan Ignacio Martinez's team on Sunday and the 49-year-old is expecting a hard-fought contest, especially as Levante are the only team to have beaten Madrid in the league this season, other than Barca.
"Levante should be applauded, but not just for winning that game, but by being where they are [in the table] in February," Mourinho added.
"Not in October or November, when everyone thought they would slip down the table. They have an impressive group of players, coaches and club."
Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu is at 21.30CET on Sunday.
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