Mourinho relishing huge tie

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is relishing the chance to face Manchester United again as the sides prepare for their Champions League showdown.



The Spanish champions welcome the Red Devils to the Bernabeu on Wednesday for the first leg - and Mourinho hopes the teams rise to the occasion.

The Portuguese, who was at Old Trafford to see United beat Everton 2-0 on Sunday, told MUTV: "It is the match the world is waiting for. People think we are under pressure because a big team will be out.

"But it is the kind of match we want and the people are not waiting for any other game. I hope we give them what they want."

On pitting his wits against old foe Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Chelsea boss added: "I feel privileged about that because he is such an important person in the world of football and, more importantly, he is good person.

"I have always had a fantastic relationship with him and I am proud of it. We have had so many matches between us which started with Porto. We had some with Chelsea, Inter and now Real. Some I had won, some I have lost, others I have drawn.



"Of course, I want to win and he wants to win, but I believe the loser will have a little bit of space to feel a little bit happy because of the friendship. But make no mistake, I want to win."

Mourinho plays down PSG link

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has conceded defeat in the Primera Liga title race while distancing himself from the Paris Saint-Germain job.



The Portuguese faces an uncertain future at the Bernabeu as Real struggle to close a 15-point gap on league leaders Barcelona, with reports in Spain suggesting Mourinho is also at odds with several club directors and members of his playing staff.



The 49-year-old has been linked with a summer return to England, where he managed Chelsea to two Premier League titles, or a potential move to ambitious French outfit PSG.



An in-depth interview with Mourinho will be broadcast on French radio station RMC Sport this afternoon, but Spanish newspaper AS published several key points of discussion on their official website in advance.



Mourinho told RMC Sport: "The La Liga title is impossible now, there is too big a gap. We have to focus on other goals like the Copa del Rey and the Champions League."



"It does no good to obsess over these things, obsession only makes things more complicated. Nothing will be easy."



"We need to stay calm and make the most of every opportunity."



PSG have struggled to dominate Ligue 1 this season despite heavy investment in the playing squad, with star names Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi being drafted in by head coach Carlo Ancelotti and director of football Leonardo.



Mourinho believes the capital club will prove to be a force to be reckoned with, both at home and abroad, but rejected suggestions he could replace Ancelotti in the summer.



"No, I don't think I will coach PSG," he added. "The success of PSG with Ancelotti and Leonardo means they have no need for another coach.



"I hope everything goes well for Carlo and PSG."



"Europe needs to have a city like Paris competing at the top level of football, and I think this project is going to work."



The Portuguese was also eager to play down his reputation as a controversial figure having drawn unwanted attention to himself on several occasions.



One such incident resulted in a two-match ban as Mourinho appeared to jab then-Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye at the end of a Spanish Super Cup game in August 2011.



He added: "People talk about controversies that don't exist. Every day I hear about controversies concerning me but are unfounded."



"I am a football coach, I am just doing my job and trying to get good results."

Mourinho: "One day I will go back to England"

José Mourinho has again expressed his love for the Premier League, claiming that "one day" he will coach in England again because English football "means a lot" to him.



In a video tribute to the FA as part of the latter's 150th anniversary celebrations, Mou admitted that "there couldn't be a better place to go" than England. "My memories in English football couldn't be better", he continued: "I loved it from the first day to the last day. I don't regret my last day because after that I was lucky enough to enjoy Italy and also Spain. But I know that one day I will come back because English football means a lot to myself".



Mourinho believes that English football is "pure football; the football you play as a kid in the street, transported in time and space into organised competitions and into the real world of football. In England you feel the real passion for the game; it's not just about passion for clubs, it's about passion for football and you feel it. When you are in England, you feel proud to be in football".



The Portuguese coach also reflected fondly on the FA Cup, the last trophy he lifted with Chelsea: "I know what I felt when I had to go up the Wembley stairs. For me, the FA Cup represents the passion of football. It represents clean football. It represents the good smell of football", he concluded.

Modric: I have something to offer Madrid

Luka Modric has promised to win over Jose Mourinho in the second half of the season as Real Madrid attempt to chase La Liga leaders Barcelona.



The former Tottenham playmaker, pivotal at White Hart Lane, has often underwhelmed since swapping England for Spain last August.



Although the 27-year-old has started just eight league games and registered a solitary goal since completing his 37-million-euro transfer, Modric insists he has a contribution to make to the team despite being voted the worst signing of the season in Spain in a newspaper poll recently.



"I have had a few good performances, if not in every game, but I believe I can prove I have something to offer," Modric told Croatian newspaper Sportske.



The diminutive midfielder has been kept out of the side by the likes of Xabi Alonso along with German pair Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira.



The trio were central to Real Madrid's title win last season, but Modric has played down notions that he has been overawed by the challenge of breaking into such an established set-up.



"It is very challenging to adapt to life at a big club like Madrid, but I'm not the kind of person to make excuses," Modric said.



"This is Real Madrid and I understand there is great pressure for new signings to succeed here."

Deco: Mourinho´s feats harder than Guardiola´s

Former Portugal midfielder Deco believes Jose Mourinho's coaching successes have been much harder than those of Pep Guardiola.



The two bosses clashed on numerous occasions before Guardiola stepped down as Barcelona manager last summer, after losing out on the La Liga title to Real Madrid.



Deco himself enjoyed four years at Camp Nou between 2004 and 2008, but despite his links with the Catalans, he has offered his backing to his compatriot.



"Winning in all places as Mourinho has done is harder," he told RTP.



"Guardiola is a great coach, but Barcelona went on to say that he did not invent anything. But let's see how he does with other teams and different training methods, then we can make a better assessment."



The Fluminense man also had his say on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the pair hot favourites to lift the Ballon d'Or and admits he finds it impossible to separate the two.



"During this year Cristiano was the best player in the entire first half and now it is Messi who is doing amazing things. I do not know who will win, honestly it's hard," he said.

Mourinho: Varane played through the pain

Real Madrid manager, Jose Mourinho expressed his disappointment in several of his player’s performances in their 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo on Wednesday evening, but insisted that they can still win the tie.

In his post-match press conference, Mourinho did not call out players specifically, but hinted that there were players who were not giving their all, while praising defender, Raphael Varane for fighting through injury to remain on the pitch.



“Varane is a champion because he was injured and played through the pain, he gave more injured than others who weren’t. He did his job as a centre forward because he couldn’t sprint and defend. We left him there and he did well. It was my decision to leave Morata out. Sometimes I make good decisions, some bad, and today was a bad decision. Maybe Morata should have been on the bench. I made a change because we were losing and I wanted more energy in the attack.



“Obviously there are players who disappointed me, but you can’t expect me to call them out individually. I can’t remember who asked me the question, but with Morata green, raw and has ambition but what’s best is that he wants to make mistakes. Morata might have been better because a player who doesn’t want this that badly, doesn’t want to play. It was cold, rainy and I think we saw the same game, with similar eyes. You guys can criticize the decisions of the manager, but it’s not always the manager that has the responsibility. I honour my responsibilities and nothing else.



“I liked Celta Vigo. I think they deserved to win the match, the result is indicative of what happened. It take much for them to score two goals and the same with the one we scored. Perhaps it was more of a 1-0 game. They scored the second unknowingly and forced us to react, but they were the best team on the field. I think Madrid are the favourites and I think we will win. I’d rather lose here today than in the league.



“We have every chance to pass. We don’t have to win 4-0 or 5-0. We have to win 4-2, 2-0, 1-0. We don’t have to make a historic comeback, we just have to win, but I also know that Celta will put all their cards on the table and try to play their game. I think we can win and our stadium will be more excited than if we had won here. We have to turn the result around and I still think we can win the tie.”


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Mourinho 'happiest at Inter'

Jose Mourinho has revealed that Inter Milan was the place that made him the happiest, but says his career would not have been complete without Real Madrid.

The Portuguese manager, 49, left Inter after his side famously defeated Spanish giants Barcelona on their way to their first European Cup title for 45 years.



Despite great success at Porto, Chelsea and Madrid, the man known as 'the Special One' says Inter is the place that gave him the most pleasure.



Since joining Madrid he has guided Los Blancos to their first domestic title since 2008, as well as success in the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana.



"Inter is the club where I liked most to stay, no one else gave me the same happiness. When I left, I cried more than once, I will belong to the Nerazzurri family forever," said Mourinho.



"I wondered why I left, and now I try to explain it. Friends told me that I could be a great coach, but without working for Real Madrid there would be a hole (in my career).



"It's why I got busy with Florentino Perez, but I always miss Inter."

Di Maria: I’ll play wherever Mourinho wants

Real Madrid midfielder, Angel di Maria stated that should the need arise, he would fill in at left-back, in place of the injured duo of Marcelo and Coentrao, while insisting that he hopes to remain an important player for the squad.

In his pre-match press conference before Real Madrid`s Champions League clash against reigning German Bundesliga champions, Borussia Dortmund, the Argentine international insisted that he would play left-back, if manager Jose Mourinho asked.



“The truth is that I haven’t spoken with Mourinho about playing at left-back but I always want to play, I love playing and I’ll play wherever he asks me to play and I’ll do everything I can to help the team.”



Di Maria then stated that he wants to continue being an important player with the club, in any capacity.



“It’s important to score goals but I prefer creating goals for others. I’m happy with how I’ve been playing and with how many assists I’ve provided. If I get a chance to score, I’ll try and take it, but if not, I also love providing assists.”

Di Maria concluded by discussing the challenge his side faces against their German opponents on Wednesday evening.



“We know it’s not going to be easy, but we just need to play our football, keeping doing what we’ve been doing until now and I hope we’ll be able to get the victory. We go into the game in good form and playing well. We made a bad start to the season but now we’re doing well. We are happy with how we’ve been playing and we aspire to win every game.”

Mourinho wants Kaka to stay

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho hopes Brazilian star Kaka will stay at the club.

The 30-year-old former World Footballer of the Year has failed to achieve consistency since his 65 million euro ($76 million) move from AC Milan in 2009.



There has been interest expressed by his former club in a return to the San Siro, and there is the possibility of a return to his boyhood Sao Paulo team.



But Mourinho, speaking after Real Madrid's 5-1 friendly win over LA Galaxy on its US tour, told the club's official website www.realmadrid.com: "For me there is no problem.



"We will try to get the best out of him. He is a good player. He played well last season and helped us win games.



"Our hope is that he stays. As a coach I would be happy because he is serious, hardworking and contributes to the group.



"In some matches he is a great player, with quality and the ability to help us win. We know him well and have worked together for two years.



"He contributed well last season and I know what he has in his head. We do not need to send messages. The important thing is that he decides on his future that is ideal for himself."

Silva top of Mourinho’s list

The Sun are today reporting that Manchester City midfielder David Silva is Jose Mourinho’s big transfer target this summer.



It is being suggested that £30 million could see him on his way to the Bernabeu. However, City are of course in a great financial position and will not let one of their star men go easily.



Silva was instrumental in helping The Citizens to their first ever Premier League trophy last season and he has hero status at The Ethiad so may find it difficult to leave the club.



When speaking to Mirror Foolball, Silva’s agent said: “David has signed a long deal with Manchester City and is very happy at the club. Football is always unpredictable but he wants to stay in England.”



The Spanish international will not decide his future until the end of Euro 2012 where he is likely to play a massive part in helping Spain to their third major tournament in a row.



The playmaker’s creativity and calmness in and around the penalty area would attract any team in world football.



Real Madrid are a massive club and the former Valencia man may relish the opportunity to play in his home country with a lot of his national side’s teammates.



He does though, have a lot going for him at the Premier League champions and will no doubt want to help them to more trophies next campaign.

Mourinho: Spain are not Barcelona

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has reacted angrily to comparisons between Spain's playing style and that of Barcelona.



Spain broke several passing records in their 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland on Thursday night, including the highest number of passes in a European Championship match with 859 and an individual record for Xavi with 136.



Those statistics once again drew comparisons between Vicente del Bosque's side and Barcelona.



However, despite there being seven Barcelona players in the Spanish squad, Mourinho has defended the representation of players from his own club in the national team.



He told Marca: "They talk about the national team and Barcelona but there are also five players from Real Madrid.

"I don't understand why they mix them because they are two distinct things. Spain isn't Barcelona.



"Barcelona were the champions of Spain. And I repeat, were the champions because now they are not."



However, Mourinho does believe that Spain remain, along with Germany, the favorites to win the European Championships.



"Spain are the world champions and there is no doubt in this," said the Portuguese.



"They are one of the best teams in Europe and, if everything goes normally, Spain has to qualify, advance and compete, possibly with Germany and a couple of other teams, to be the champions of Europe."

Mourinho does not fear the axe

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho does not fear he will be sacked even if the club fail to qualify for the last eight of the Champions League.



The Spanish leaders take on CSKA Moscow on Wednesday with the tie delicately poised following a 1-1 first leg draw in Russia.



The pressure is on Mourinho to deliver European success having won the prestigious trophy with Inter Milan in 2010 following a 2-0 success over Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.



Real are currently ten points clear of Barcelona in the race for the Liga title and Mourinho, who has been linked with a summer return to Chelsea, does not think failure against CSKA will affect his position.



"My future won't be decided by Wednesday's result, unless the club fire me if we don't qualify," said Mourinho. "But from my point of view it (result) won't change a thing.



"The first leg was a complicated result which leaves things quite open. Looking to tomorrow I'm more afraid of the game, which can produce all sorts of surprises."



Mourinho will not be underestimating CSKA having tackled the Russia club during his reign at Chelsea, a 3-0 aggregate success in the 2004/05 campaign.



"I know CSKA from when I was at Chelsea and at Inter and I know they're a complicated team to play," he added.



"They come at you quickly, are quick on the counter-attack and are strong in defence. But I think we have the tools to overcome them."