COPA DEL REY REACTION

Mourinho content despite being held by Murcia

October 27, 2010

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Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho had no complaints about his side's performance in their Copa del Rey tie against Real Murcia despite being held to a goalless draw by the third tier side.

AP

Real Madrid's Sergio Canales is surrounded by Murcia players

Before the game Mourinho said his players would be "dead to me" if they suffered an embarrassing defeat after Manuel Pellegrini's Real were humbled by Alcorcon last season.
Mourinho, who remains unbeaten as Madrid coach with nine wins from 12 games in all competitions, also vowed that his side would progress through to the last 16 when they meet Murcia in the second leg at the Bernabeu next month.
''I'm happy with the team. We played a serious game and wanted to win. My criticisms are for those who don't work as hard as they can, and this wasn't the case,'' said Mourinho, who sent out a strong side with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Iker Casillas and Karim Benzema all starting.
''There are no criticisms of my team, I'm happy with them despite the result, which we don't like because we always want to win. 'We worked hard and had chances to score. We had some limitations due to the absence of more creative players like (Xabi) Alonso and (Mesut) Ozil.
''Murcia worked well, We didn't win because their goalkeeper had a fantastic night,'' added Mourinho, whose side beat Racing Santander 6-1 at the weekend to take their tally to 16 goals in their last three league games.
''I'm going away from here satisfied with the people who have played. They've all tried and that's important.''
The former Inter Milan coach is also supremely confident about his side's chances of progressing through to the last 16, adding: ''If you look at the tie from a two-leg perspective, then it's a good result.
''We are going to win the match at home and we are going to get through. I'm convinced we will get through.''