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Mourinho: Depor had ten defenders Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has refused to blame his players for the goalless draw against Deportivo on Saturday. The result has put Real's hope of winning back the La Liga crown from Barcelona in jeopardy - with the Catalans winning their game against Real Mallorca to open up a seven-point gap a the top. Real's failure to make a breakthrough seemed to frustrate their travelling fans, but Mourinho refused to lay any blame at his players' feet, who hit the woodwork twice through Emmanuel Adebayor and Cristiano Ronaldo. "Deportivo practically didn't touch the ball in the second half and we played against a goalkeeper and ten defenders. All that matters is the outcome, but I cannot criticize my players," he told the club's official website. "One team played to win and the other worked very hard to take one point. The team that was after the point got what it wanted. I think it would have been fair had the match ended 0-1." The Portuguese did not see Depor's tactics as negative and even praised their performance in holding on to a point. "Deportivo can play however they want. I have nothing to say in that respect. I am sure they are pleased with the point. They played their match and worked hard," he admitted. "If they play this way in every match, I am sure they would be competing for a Europa League spot. Hats off to them, but there is no comparison with other matches." However, Mourinho did feel that the schedule of matches did not favour his side - Real having been in Champions League action on Tuesday. "I will always try to defend the interests of Real Madrid and its fans. The schedule is decided by people who know what they are doing. Playing on Sunday would have been the normal thing to do. "The people who drew up the calendar knew what they were doing. People laugh behind my back, but I will continue speaking out against a situation that is clear to everyone. It is something that is impossible to deny, but that's a whole other matter." While most pundits are now predicting a canter for Barcelona to a third consecutive domestic title, the redoubtable los Blancos manager refuses to give up. "Seven points is a lot, but mathematics play an important role and we will continue as long as it's possible." Their La Liga hopes may be on the verge of dissipating, but Real are still very much in the fray on two fronts. Their 1-1 away draw against Lyon makes them favourites to enter the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time after seven years, while a Copa del Rey summit clash with Barca in April awaits as well.

Mourinho bemoans fixture pile-up Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has slammed the Spanish football authorities for his side's fixture mess. Mourinho's side had a tough fixture earlier in the week against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League which ended 1-1, but returned to La Liga action on Saturday, where they played out a goalless draw against Deportivo La Coruna. Following Saturday's two dropped points, Barcelona have now stretched their lead at the top of the table to seven points, following their 3-0 win against Real Mallorca. The outspoken Mourinho has now come forward to criticize La Liga officials for their fixture scheduling, suggesting that playing on Saturday severely hindered Real's match preparation. As reported by the Sun, Mourinho said: "I don't know what would have happened if we had played on Sunday but it would have been fairer." "We could have given an extra day off to those who were most tired, we could have trained an extra day." The Portuguese's comments come as a slight surprise considering playing two games in five days is nothing new for the Real manager, especially from his days at managing Chelsea, where they regularly played midweek European games, before having to recover in time to play on Saturday, which is when most of the Barclays Premier League matches are held. Having seen Barcelona capture the La Liga crown for the last two seasons, Mourinho will not be willing to give up this season's fight yet, a sentiment echoed by Real director Jorge Valdano. "Nobody gives up on the league in February so we will keep on fighting and see if we have a bit more luck in the next few matches." With Real Madrid and Barcelona yet to play at the at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, Mourinho will be hoping to cut the gap between the two sides by then, making their clash on April 17 absolutely pivotal in this season's title race.

"Guardiola over Mourinho any day!" Barcelona president Sandro Rosell claimed he will choose Pep Guardiola over Jose Mourinho any day. While it is true that both managers have very different footballing philosophy, many will find it hard to pick the better out of the two. But not Rosell, who believes Barcelona and Guardiola are made for each other while Mourinho is simply contracted to Real Madrid. "Pep represents Barca sentimentally, while Mourinho only represents Madrid professionally. And Mourinho is a lot more expensive than Pep," Rosell told Tv3. "Every day that goes by, I like our model more, and I like it even better with Pep. We are delighted to have him here." Guardiola has recently signed a one-year extension at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea to swap Drogba for Kaka? Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed the possibility of swapping Didier Drogba for Real Madrid's Kaka as 'fantasy football'. Drogba's future with the Blues has been thrown into uncertainty following the arrival of Fernando Torres, who has been preferred over the Ivory Coast striker in the past two games. That has led to speculation linking the once indispensable Drogba away from Stamford Bridge to a possible reunion with former mentor Jose Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu. The pair enjoyed a close relationship during the Portuguese's time at Chelsea and reports have claimed that the Special One would relish having the powerful striker to boost his Madrid attack. But Ancelotti has played down such rumours and told La Repubblica, "Will I ask [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich for Kaka, [Alexandre] Pato or [Andrea] Pirlo? We have already taken Ramires, Torres and David Luiz. "The exchange of Kaka for Drogba is fantasy football." The Italian added, "I don't think that Chelsea have spent a lot in the last year. "We added five players from the youth system instead of five with high salaries." Chelsea play Manchester United next at Stamford Bridge on 1 March.

Carol interview: - How do you feel? - I’m fine, I am still willing. I’m glad to get a girl this time. In the second pregnancy, we are not as careful as in the first, when everything is new. But I try to rest, even having to take care of Luca. Try to rest and eat well. - When you became pregnant with Luca, you said that pregnancy was a miracle. Did you feel the same this time? - I have polycystic ovaries. The first pregnancy was a surprise and a miracle, certainly because I did not ovulate. To ovulate, I should begin a treatment that, thank God, it was not necessary. I was also six months without having my period and decided to take some medicine. As the drug is an abortifacient, it took a blood test. Before taking, called me announcing that I was pregnant three weeks of Luca. It was a great joy. This time, I thought it would take longer, and took the pregnancy of Luca, and was faster than expected. I was surprised again. - Did you want a girl? - I wanted that my first baby was a boy. Now, I really wanted a girl. Sure, I would be happy with two boys, but I was extremely happy. - Did you choose the name? - Not yet. Perhaps Isabella or Nathalie. - You are in the seventh month of pregnancy. You said, you want to go to Sao Paulo to give birth. Why is it important that the child will born in Brazil? - Because I have the support of my family that lives there, and I will not have to travel with the little baby when Kakà have finished the championship in May. - How are you as a mother? - I am a disciplined. I like to see Lucas play and evolve every day. Since birth, it is hard to keep away from him, even for an afternoon. We are very attached. - Who is Kaka for you? What makes it special? - What I admire most in him is gratitude to God. Kaka made me fall in love with God, and know that God made me discover the one and only true love for Kaka. We never were driven by passion or by fleeting moments, but by a deep love. Kaka is admirable, he is extremely disciplined and faithful to everything that is involved with.”

Here the interview (First Kakà): - There are many reasons to congratulate you: your daughter, your physical recovery, your return on the pitch, the recent goal scored for Real Madrid against Real Sociedad … It seems that after a difficult period, everything is back on track … - I have many reasons to thank God. I went through difficult moments that made me more mature, in my personal and professional life. - How did you face months without playing football? - It was a very difficult time because it was the first time I got more than five months without being able to play. - Did you fear for the future of your career? - I didn’t fear about the end of my career. But I was worried, because I didn’t know when and under what conditions I would return to play. - And how are you? - I’m much better, I’m recovering from injury and looking for the best physical shape. - How do you see your future at Real Madrid? - I have a strong desire to succeed. I believe it would happen sooner or later. - Now that Ronaldo announced his retirement, are you concerned about your life after football? - The football player has to prepare for retirement, yes. But for me, it is still early to think about it. - How was the adaptation to Spain? - Spain is a wonderful country. Madrid is one of the best city in the world. People receive us very well here, and this made our adaptation fine. - And how is your routine in Madrid? What do you like to do? - When I’m not playing or practicing, I like to go out and eat with family and friends, going to movies. But I also like staying at home with Caroline and Luca. - You have a life which is more than a dream. - It’s great to see what I have achieved and I enjoy it. The Bible says that God makes for us more than we ask or think. What I live is a testimony of this verse. - This way of thinking comes from his religious belief? - I grew up in a Christian home and biblical values. So, I was always grateful to God for everything he did and has done for my life. - In matters of religion, do you help your teammates? - When I get a chance, I talk about the love of Christ and I also try to convey that Love. - Who are your friends, among your team-mates? - I’m seeking to have contact with all my team-mates. In a large group, it is normal to have more affinity with some, as I have with Cristiano (Ronaldo), Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe and Marcelo. - You are a football player who did not go to parties or have girlfriends … This is a problem in time to make friends? - I never had trouble making friends because of my lifestyle choices. - In a game between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in early February, you celebrated a goal by making a symbol with their hands … - It was the symbol of infinity, the hallmark of my wife, Caroline. It was a tribute to my wife, yes, because she knows more than anyone I’ve been through and she is always by my side. - What are the cornerstones of your love? - The love that endures all things, which believes all things, hopes all that, does not fail. - What does Caroline mean to you? - She is a virtuous woman. She is the pillar of our house, the wise woman who builds a house. She is an excellent mother, wife and friend, always ready to help. - How are you as a parent for Luca? - I try to spend a lot of time when I’m home, I try to be with him all the time, playing, teaching and especially learning from him. - What are the values that you want to spend your child? - The Bible and Christian values, to help him learn to love God and neighbor. - He kicks the ball? - It’s his will. Some days he wants to play ball, other days he wants to ride in the stroller, and there are days he wants to play tennis. - If one day Luca wants to be a football player, what advice will you give to him? - Patience, perseverance, faith and fight for his dream. - What is happiness to you? - It’s a phrase I heard and I made for my life: “Happiness is not a place where one arrives, but the way it goes. “