Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho could not fault his players for their efforts but admits Sunday night’s 1-0 defeat to struggling Osasuna has left them in a “much more difficult situation” with regards to their pursuit of Primera Division leaders Barcelona.
Mourinho said after the game:
“My players have done their jobs with dignity and I have nothing to reproach them for, they fought to the end. We lost three points that we didn’t deserve to lose. Osasuna are a tough team and the crowd was fantastic. I don’t think many teams win here. We had opportunities to score in both halves, but we haven’t done it. And if the opponents score first it is very difficult. Congratulations to Osasuna.”
The Special One added:
“This is our second defeat in La Liga and we are in a much more difficult situation with respect to first place. I always tell my teams that I don’t like to gift games to the opposition, by not playing, not fighting or because we were relaxed…that wasn’t the case. We lost against a team who gave it everything, and who had a week to prepare for the match.”
Madrid, who were held to a 1-1 draw by then-bottom club Almeria in their previous away game, do not have long to dwell on their defeat as they have an important match on Wednesday when they host Sevilla in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final. Madrid lead 1-0 from last week’s first leg as they look to win the cup for the first time since 1993.
