Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was delighted with his players after they beat cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Saturday.
Goals to Karim Benzema and Mesut Oezil scored first-half goals for Real and, although Atletico grabbed an equaliser in the dying stages through Sergio Aguero, Mourinho’s side hung for an crucial away victory.
“It was a very important victory. Atletico Madrid played a great game and were excellent in attack. For us it was a great win,” Mourinho told Eurosport.
“Things were difficult for us. In the first half we controlled the game very well and in the second we have been able to contain Atleti. The second half was very difficult for us. We did not have the necessary intensity and we were tired, especially (Cristiano) Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.”
Argentina attacker Angel Di Maria was left out of the side and replaced by French midfielder Lassana Diarra in order to make the side more compact, according to Mourinho.
“I opted for three midfielders because I knew the team was tired and to make the team more compact,” he said.
“I wanted to rest some players but I did want to risk our championship chances ending today. It was a risk but you have to take each day as it comes. Now we will have three days of rest.”
Mourinho reserved special praise for the ‘fantastic’ Iker Casillas and also made mention of referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes’ performance.
“The referee had a great game as it is not difficult to officiate such a match,” he said.
“Perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo could have had a penalty but overall he had a great game.”
Sun 20 March, 2011
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