体坛英语新闻："Monday is a different story", says Mourinho

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, Nov.23 (Xinhua) -- Jose Mourinho was happy with Real Madrid’s impressive performance against Ajax in the Champions League.

His team beat Ajax 4-0 and finished as Group G winners. Sami Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho and Gonzalo Higuain were injured and their replacements Alvaro Arbeloa, Lassana Diarra and Karim Benzema took their chance.

“This is a fantastic result. It makes me very, very happy that players like Benzema, Diarra gave me the right answer. It proves we don’t need new players this season”, Mourinho said.

“Many players have played well. I rather not talk about substitutions or starting players. We need everyone to continue to participate in all three competitions.”

Next Monday Real Madrid will play FC Barcelona in Camp Nou. “Monday is a different story”, Mourinho continued. “For that match I don’t have to motivate my players. We have to wait and see. We feel good, but the best team will not always win. We’ll miss Khedira. I hope for a good game.”

The coach was not happy with Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos deliberately catching their second yellow card against Ajax to avoid taking a yellow card into the next round.

“This was not a game for so many cards. The referee gave away cards very easily. I do not like the last two cards. It is certainly not our intention to give away the last match against Auxerre. For Ajax and Auxerre the Europa League is still at stake.”

Mourinho’s colleague Martin Jol admitted Real Madrid was superior. “They played fantastically. They were just too good for us. With the best team of Spain and the best team of Italy in our Group it was really difficult. We can still continue in the Europa League and that was our goal.”