Mourinho has something different, says Xabi Alonso

Feb 8, 2013 8:45:00 PM

The Spain international is still convinced that the Portuguese coach is "special" while also declaring he and his team-mates are fully behind their boss

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso insists there is still something "special" about Jose Mourinho.

The former Inter boss has been under pressure in the Spanish capital all season as his team have gradually seen their hopes of back-to-back Liga titles slip away from their grasp.

Matters off the field have not helped either with constant speculation of internal arguments from within the Madrid camp, centred around Mourinho, but Alonso is adamant the coach still has the backing from his players.

"Yes, absolutely," he replied, when asked if Mourinho was still special.

"You see that Jose has something different. The way that he communicates with the players, it's different. The way he empathises with the players as well is different.

"That is why you want to be behind him, why you want to play and fight for him on the pitch. The players believe in him."

Alonso and Real Madrid are currently preparing for their home clash against Sevilla on Saturday before welcoming Manchester United to the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.

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Real Madrid press conference - LIVE!

Catch the latest news from the Spanish capital as Jose Mourinho's time at Santiago Bernabeu nears its end. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Joe Wright.

6:40 PM BST

Of course, don't forget to send us your thoughts on tonight - WHATEVER the outcome - via Facebook and Twitter. If Mourinho is set to leave, should he be kept until the season is over, or should Aitor Karanka take charge? What does it mean for the future of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo? Lemme hear your views, people!

6:32 PM BST

Club president Florentino Perez will lead proceedings tonight, with the press conference due to start properly at 20:00 CET. We'll have all the latest from the event as well as all the fall-out from any potential important revelations (which, you feel, might just include something to do with the man below...)

6:30 PM BST

Good evening and welcome to Goal's LIVE! coverage of Real Madrid's press conference from the Spanish capital. Could this be the end of Jose Mourinho's tenure at the club? Stay with us for all the latest!

11:45 PM BST

And on that note I will leave you all! I won't be back next week for another run of the Goal LIVE blog for the Champions League final, but fear not as the legendary Mark Doyle will be entrusted with the role of taking you through all the twists and turns as they happen at Wembley!

I've been Livio Caferoglu on a night in which Chelsea have been crowned European title victors for a successive campaign, and it's good night to you all. Ciao!

11:35 PM BST

More Benfica reaction now - this is what midfielder Nemanja Matic told reporters after the Eagles crashed to a heartbreaking 92nd-minute defeat at the Amsterdam ArenA earlier this evening:

"We played a good game. We played very well, we had more possession and played dangerously in Chelsea's box, but we lacked luck in the end. I can only congratulate Chelsea for the victory, but we didn't lack quality. I still think we played well, we were the best team. We had more control and opportunities to score, but had no luck. The best team doesn't always win."

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