Mourinho - Down but not out

You might argue that losing, like winning, is part of the game. But for some it just is not. Some people are accustomed to winning. And for someone who says “the best team lost” after the occasional defeat, to admit that his team “deserved to lose” is quite a step down.

Jose Mourinho is known as much for his pride as his victories, but even he was forced to concede that his Real Madrid side was thoroughly outplayed after the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona.

“One team played very good, one team very bad,” he said in the post-match press conference at the Camp Nou on Monday night. “One deserved to win and one deserved to lose.”

He went on further to admit that he felt “impotent” and “powerless” as Barcelona passed Real to death en route to presenting Mourinho with the worst defeat of his career.

But the El Clasico, despite all the hype and drama attached to it, does not determine the outcome of the league. Barcelona currently lead Real Madrid in the league standings by a mere 2 points with 25 rounds still to be played. The title is far from decided and it could only be a matter of time before Real win back the top spot. The Portuguese manager was quick to highlight that fact.

“Last week, we had a point lead, and now we have two points less. But there is plenty of football still left to be played.”

He also added that his team still had a long way to go to reach their opposition’s level. “I’ve always said that Barcelona is a finished product and Madrid are a long way behind,” Mourinho said.

But if there is anyone who knows about building a trophy winning team, it is Mourinho. In the last eight years, he has won the domestic league six times in three different countries. He has also won the UEFA Cup once and the Champions League twice.

And that’s not the best part. All through those stints, he is yet to lose a home game. His last home defeat came with FC Porto in February 2002. He is only the third manager to win the Champions League with two different teams. He joined Real in a bid to win it with a third.

After the match, Barcelona erupted in a frenzy of celebration as the Real Madrid players and fans left with their heads held low. But Mourinho wasn’t leaving without having the final say.

“Last season I lost at the Nou Camp in the [Champions League group stages] with Inter before returning for the semi-final. We were the ones who reached the final – they [Barcelona] watched it on television,” he said before leaving the stadium.