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Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Mourinho Still Wary of Tottenham

José Mourinho, Madrid coach


"We have to respect Tottenham and football because sometimes football can betray you: we cannot give it the chance to. That's why we come here to play seriously. We know the mentality of English players, supporters and teams. They will try everything and if I was in Harry Redknapp's position I would not throw the towel in. I would try everything to make the miracle happen. We have to respect the opponents but at the same time I don't think five goals will be enough for Tottenham as we are coming here to score goals."

"Our objective is to get through to the next round. If we were to lose 4-2 or 5-2 we would be in the semi-finals but Madrid don't go into matches thinking like that. We're unbeaten [in the UEFA Champions League this season] and justifiably proud of that record. It would be better to maintain that and carry it on into next season. It's all about improving and keeping the confidence going."

"Some of the players are in a complicated situation [Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Ricardo Carvalho, Ángel Di María and Raúl Albiol are all within a booking of suspension]. Players must be intelligent and aware – they know their own situation. We must respect the opponents and football so I will pick the team with the best chance to win the game. It's a big match; we want to be in the semi-final and the job is not done."

On the playing side Sami Khedira is back after missing Saturday's Athletic Club win with flu and Karim Benzema is poised to return after a fortnight out with a torn hamstring. Pedro León, Fernando Gago and Lassana Diarra all sat out training on Tuesday, while Pepe is suspended following his first-leg booking.

A win last Saturday at Athletic Club Bilbao by three goal is Real Madrid's seventh win in eight games, albeit they Madrid still remain eight points adrift of FC Barcelona going into next weekend's meeting. 

Kaká doubled his tally for the season from the spot and substitute Cristiano Ronaldo added his 28th of the Liga campaign.

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