Mourinho press conference
Jose Mourinho addressed the media the day prior to the team’s match against Ajax at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Mourinho: "Real Madrid have a great history in the Champions League and so do I"
The current Real Madrid:
This team is under construction. Our goal is to continue to grow and to reach the next round in the championship. We will be a tighter side in the Last 16 and in the most decisive moments of the competition. We have yet to play six games in a tough group.
Special one?:
I don’t feel anything special. I just have faith in my work, in that of those who work with me and in my players. Real Madrid have a great history in the Champions League and so do I, so it is natural for us to have a special feeling and to think something positive will happen. Real Madrid want to win their tenth European Cup title as much as I want to win my third, but it will be difficult.
Contenders:
There are between six and eight teams that could win the championship. We will be much stronger than we are now if we reach the next round.
Champions League:
The Champions League is the competition everyone wants to win. You can’t compare it to other championships, not even to a World Cup because these teams are different to national sides. It is the greatest title a club can aspire to win and it is also a championship in which small details are very important. The best team doesn’t win. On the other hand, the league isn’t decided by details. You can come back from a mistake. The best always wins, despite the fact that there is less prestige in it than in winning the Champions League. Winning a league is good to boost a team’s self-esteem. Neither championship is more important than the other. Today, the Champions League is more important to us, but this weekend it will be La Liga.
Ajax:
Ajax are a great club with great tradition. Both they and Real Madrid are giants in this championship.
Osasuna:
It’s up to the press to debate about or game on Saturday, not to us. I clearly said after the game I had no problems. I don’t feel more pressure. I am calm. No one can teach me about negative reactions in a stadium. I know what true boos and whistles are and they have nothing to do with what was heard for ten seconds on Saturday. When you score in the opening minute of the second half, you leave the stadium calm because you won the match. I don’t care. Those who pay may do what they want and those of us who work at Real Madrid have to accept that.
Cristiano:
Cristiano Ronaldo did not criticise the fans. He always risks injuries and his future as a player when he’s on the pitch, even when he is in delicate shape. He wants players and fans to share the same goals. That’s it. He knows he can make a difference and he is aware of what the team needs. He always tries to do better. That’s a good thing.
Higuain press conference
Gonzalo Higuain is very motivated for the Champions League match against Ajax tomorrow.
Higuain: "Mourinho is a great coach and his experience will be key in this competition"
Mourinho:
Mourinho is a winner; he’s always proved this. That’s why he was signed and we hope to take Real Madrid where it deserves together with him.
Champions League:
The Champions League is an important competition and we hope to take the Club to the very top in Europe, to the Wembley final. We’ve been eliminated in the Last 16 for some years now, something inadmissable at a club like Real Madrid.
Taking chances:
We shouldn’t worry about not scoring more form the many chances on goal we had on Saturday. What matters is that we continue to improve as a team. I hope we capitalise more on our chances against Ajax.
Playing with two other forwards:
We forwards feel comfortable when the three of us play together, but what’s important is that those who make the starting lineup do their best.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak