Jose Antonio Camacho accuses Jose Mourinho of influencing referee in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Osasuna

Harsh criticism for Los Blancos' manager...

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has come in for harsh criticism from Osasuna boss Jose Antonio Camacho in the aftermath of Los Blancos' 1-0 win over the Navarre side.

The former Spain and Real Madrid coach told As.com, "We had four or five fouls given against us that shouldn't have been whistled, and lots of whistles given against us in attack.

"I think Mourinho's statements have affected them [the officials]. You can't always cry about it. These things have to be said at any time but not before a match."

Camacho was referring to recent statements from Mourinho in which he accused attackers in the league of getting a free ride from referees while his own Cristiano Ronaldo is treated unfairly.

Camacho went on to praise his players for their performance, particularly after going a goal down.

"We wanted the ball but against Real Madrid that isn't easy," he said.

"It's logical losing to a team like Madrid, and we'll look for all three points next time."

Aga,you're so intelligent!!!

That's true

"The fans are the ones who pay me, so I have to shut up and accept what they say," he shrugged.

I love this man

ya.he just gets better and better each day!!

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho warns opponents that someone will pay for missed chances against Ajax

Boss unconcerned by missed chances...

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said his side played very well in their 2-0 win over Ajax in the UEFA Champions League and warned that some opponent will pay dearly for the chances missed against the Dutch side.

Madrid were in complete control throughout the contest, creating an incredible 35 shots at goal, yet only two found the net - a first half own-goal from Vurnon Anita and a second half tap-in from Gonzalo Higuain.

"We played very well, we pressed a lot and did not let them play as they like. One day some poor team will pay for all these chances we missed," Mourinho told a press conference.

When asked if the game was a case of men against boys, Mourinho said, "It was a game of boys against boys because Madrid has a team of boys. If you take out [iker] Casillas and [Ricardo] Carvalho then it's a team of all boys, less so Xabi Alonso who is the father."

Mourinho noted that his team could have been more efficient but at this stage of the competition he is not very concerned. Nor is he concerned by Cristiano Ronaldo's failure to get on the score sheet in the tie.

"We lacked efficiency, but we won because we dominated the game. The result could be higher, but at this stage the goals are not as important as in the knockouts," he remarked.

"I'm not concerned that Cristiano has not scored. The goals will come. He has worked very well and can score a couple of goals in any game. You must let Cristiano and Higuain be, many coaches would like to have these forwards. Goals will come."

Mourinho revels in Madrid masterclass

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho purred over his side's 2-0 win over Champions League Group G opponents Ajax.

Real got the three points at the Bernabeu thanks to goals from Gonzalo Higuain, but the 2-0 scoreline flattered the visitors as Mourinho's men dominated the match and should have scored more.

"The goals will come. Some team is going to pay heavily for this lack of scoring and the scoreline is going to be huge. The best player in both the Osasuna and Mallorca match was the keeper. Today Ajax's keeper was very good," Mourinho told reporters at a post-match press conference.

"We played well. We pressured a lot and in a very advanced position.

"We didn't allow Ajax to play, and they are used to controlling the ball on an open pitch. The team's physical and mental strength increases by playing. They need time to adapt to the new playing method. They need time to adapt because we play with a lot of intensity."

The Special One was also confident star man Cristiano Ronaldo will soon rediscover his goalscoring form after the Portuguese forward failed to net against Ajax despite several chances.

"Cristiano can solve his scoring anxiety by one day not playing so well and scoring two or three goals. This happens a lot. You play and try your hardest, you build plays, you assist so that the team shines, but you can't score. It can happen, but the goals will come."

After the game, Ajax manager Martin Jol admitted that at times during the match "it looked like boys against men" as Madrid "dominated" the game.

Mourinho explains: "We use a system that involves a heavy balance of positions. We have the characteristics for a certain dynamic and it is adapted for such a style because Xabi and Khedira form a false duo in the midfield. Khedira moves out of position a lot and Xabi falls back between the two center-backs to develop plays. The attack isn't really that either because the dynamic involves a lot of variation.

"Karim Benzema is intelligent and I hope he knows what he has to do to play more. It's easy. You can see the game very well from the bench... The way the opposing defense moves, the changes in positioning, the aggressiveness... It's a perfect spot. He will understand sooner or later."

Mourinho could take Portugal reins

The Portuguese Football Federation want Jose Mourinho to take charge of the national team for their next two Euro 2012 qualifiers in October, according to a report.

Record claims that FPF president Gilberto Madail has travelled to Madrid to meet with Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes in an attempt to persuade the Real boss to oversee Portugal's games against Denmark on October 8 and Iceland four days later.

Portugal are without a coach following the sacking of Carlos Queiroz last week after he had been handed a six-month suspension for insulting anti-doping agents prior to the World Cup.

Former FPF president Joao Rodrigues has accompanied Madail on the trip, the Record reports, as he has good connections in Spain that could help secure Mourinho's short-term release from Real Madrid in order to take charge of the games.

Portugal are desperate to salvage their qualification campaign - having collected only one point from their opening two matches - as a failure to qualify would be seen as a huge blow to their bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Reports had suggested Sporting Lisbon boss Paulo Bento was to take the job, but he denied that yesterday.

"I want to make clear that I did not sign any contract nor have I been contacted by someone from the federation," he said on TVI 24.

"I spent the day at home and have not signed anything."

Mourinho hails three golden points

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was a happy man after his side came through a tough match with all three points.

Madrid struggled to keep up with Real Sociedad's pace at times but a deflected Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick sealed a 2-1 win for the capital giants.

In comments reported by realmadrid.com after the game, Mourinho said: "Real Sociedad were alive to the very end. They have a strong character and playing at this stadium helps.

"I was proven right when I said it was going to be our toughest match yet. Real Sociedad are a complicated opponent and they knew how to react against us. We took three golden points tonight.

"We'll see how many more teams manage to take as many points at this stadium throughout the season. I believe they deserved one point for their efforts tonight; that would've been fair.

"I hope my men manage to showcase their usual intensity the more they play together and adapt to the team. We saw two sides with different intensities. We were nevertheless solid. We had chances to sentence the game after netting our second strike."

"We should win by playing well most times, but you sometimes have to adapt to circumstances that don't allow you to play as you intend to.

"I've won six league titles and never has any of my teams not known how to adapt to difficulties. Difficult moments must be confronted with humility. My players were humble, and so was their coach."

Mourinho was however not too pleased at having to play on a Saturday after completing their first Champions League group game on Wednesday.

"Our opponent played an intense game, like the one we played on Wednesday. That's why we couldn't be that intense today. We found it hard to keep up with Real Sociedad's pace whenever we lost the ball," he said.

"Why did we have to play today [saturday] having played on Wednesday? Valencia face Hercules tomorrow [sunday] and they played on Tuesday. Why does it have to be us? I hope the spectacle of football is protected while at the same time respecting decisions taken by TV stations.

"I hope decisions are balanced out better in the future. We will face Espanyol on Tuesday and the match will be tough. I don't quite understand this situation; we play on Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday... It seems life is easier for some and harder for others.

"Real deserved to win in the first half. I believe a draw would have been a fairer score. Nevertheless, I will stress yet again that I believe a team that plays Champions League on Wednesday must play in the league on Sunday, not Saturday."

Finally, the Portuguese expressed delight at the referee's performance, saying: "We remember referees many times when they don't do a good job. I'd like to talk about ours today because he was the best man on the pitch.

"The match was fast and difficult, seeing many transitions and counterattacks. We faced a team whose players fell to the ground too easily. This referee showcased spectacular mentality and philosophy. He was fantastic."

Real Madrid vs Espanyol Preview

Jose Mourinho described being in charge of Real Madrid as like "reaching the moon".

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's visit of Espanyol, where Madrid will look to continue their steady progress under the Portuguese, Mourinho reflected back on a hugely successful decade since he first started out as a coach.

"These 10 years have passed very quickly. I have the same desire that I had 10 years ago and I think that in another 10 years I will be the same," said the 47-year-old, who last season led Inter Milan to an unprecedented treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles.

"I think I will be like (Manchester United manager Sir Alex) Ferguson. I'll be 70 and I'll still have the same desire for coaching."

Regarding his summer switch from Inter to the Bernabeu, Mourinho added: "From a prestige point of view, taking over at Real Madrid is like reaching the moon.

"It's the most important club in the world and it means I've arrived at the pinnacle, but I still haven't won anything.

"We'll see how the story ends. It's a story that I still have to construct."

Mourinho, looking to help Madrid end a two-year spell without any silverware, has made a decent start to life in one of the most high-profile and testing jobs in the game.

In his first three league matches Madrid have earned seven points, while they also defeated Ajax in the Champions League.

Madrid are now third in the Primera Division standings following Saturday's hard-fought 2-1 win at Real Sociedad, but they are just a point better off than tomorrow's opponents Espanyol.

The Barcelona side have won both of their home matches, beating Getafe and Almeria, but suffered a 4-0 defeat to Villarreal in their away match.

Mourinho said of Mauricio Pochettino's side: "Espanyol are a talented team that knows how to play good football.

"They will come here to win, just like every team does. We aren't top of the table, but we're right up there.

"We need to continue winning and maintaining stability."

Mourinho has lost youngster Sergio Canales for tomorrow's game.

The summer arrival from Racing Santander has suffered an ankle injury which will keep him sidelined for around three weeks, Madrid announced today.

Canales joins Kaka, Raul Albiol, Ezequiel Garay and Fernando Gago in sitting the game out, so Mourinho has called up every available player in a 20-man squad.

Pochettino is also missing players, with Javi Marquez, Jesus Datolo and Ivan Alonso - who all featured in Saturday's win over Almeria - absent.

The Espanyol coach said: "They are important players and it would be better if we had everyone available to have more alternatives.

"(But) we are going there (to Madrid) with high hopes, despite not being able to count on certain players.

"I'm happy with the players who are going to play and I think we are going to have a good game."

Mourinho: We played on a potato field

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was left satisfied by his side's 3-0 win over Espanyol given the circumstances of the match.

Madrid returned to the summit of the Primera Division following an incident-packed match with Espanyol that included three goals and three red cards.

"I am satisfied given the circumstances because it isn't easy to play on a potato field, it isn't easy to play a third game having had only two days to recover, and it isn't easy to face an opponent that had nothing to lose," he said.

"We took three points and grabbed the first position on the table.

"We'll see if we are still at the top tomorrow night after Valencia's game. We had more chances to score in the second half and grew calmer. This team still needs to improve, but above all it needs to rest."

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for Madrid in the 29th minute from the penalty spot before strikes from Gonzalo Higuain (78) and Karim Benzema (87) put the tie to bed.

Real had defender Pepe sent off in the 60th minute while Espanyol duo Ernesto Galan (63) and Juan Forlin (89) also received their marching orders.

"I prefer to talk about referees when they do a good job," Mourinho said.

"I talked about the ref in San sebastian because it was a pleasure to see such a good performance. I'd rather not comment on the ref today.

"His decision didn't really influence the score, which is what matters and what we all ultimately want."

Real play Levante at the weekend.

Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol

Real Madrid returned to the summit of the Primera Division this evening following an incident-packed 3-0 victory over Espanyol.

Cristiano Ronaldo (29 pen), Gonzalo Higuain (78) and Karim Benzema (87) were all on the scoresheet as Madrid claimed three points to move one point clear of Valencia at the top of the standings, having played one game more.

Neither side finished the match with a full compliment of players, with Madrid defender Pepe the first to be sent off in the 60th minute.

Espanyol duo Ernesto Galan (63) and Juan Forlin (89) also received their marching orders.

Osasuna registered their first win and goals of the new season with a comfortable 3-1 home success over newly-promoted Real Sociedad.

The visitors had taken a 16th-minute lead through striker Raul Tamudo before Osasuna broke their season's scoring duck with two goals in five minutes just before half-time.

Walter Pandiani and Javier Camunas both struck from close range before substitute Carlos Aranda sealed his side's first win with 15 minutes remaining.

David Lopez's first-half fluke set Athletic Bilbao on the way to their second victory of the season, a 3-0 triumph over Real Mallorca.

Lopez slipped as he attempted to cross left-footed from the right flank, and the ball whistled with plenty of curl towards goal and just inside the far post.

Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu hardly moved, and second-half strikes from Mikel San Jose and Inigo Perez sealed the three points.

Real eye fresh Copa del Rey start

Real Madrid is keen to avoid complacency when the club play third tier Real Murcia in the Copa del Rey.

Madrid suffered one of the biggest humiliations in their illustrious history last season after being dumped out at the same fourth-round stage by another third tier side Alcorcon, who won the first leg 4-0 at home en route to a 4-1 aggregate victory.

The previous season, again in the fourth round, Madrid were knocked out by Real Union, who were also playing at the third level of Spanish football, while you have to go back to 1993 for the last time the Spanish giants won the competition. Inaki Alonso, the coach of Murcia, was in charge of Union when they stunned Madrid two years ago.

Butragueno, a playing legend at the Bernabeu, said following Wednesday's draw: "Madrid have to be very alert. We've had very bad experiences in other years. It´s not a competition that has given us much joy."

Barcelona, who have won a record 25 Copa del Rey crowns - two more than Athletic Bilbao and eight more than Madrid, were also paired against Segunda Division B opposition in the form of Ceuta.

Last season's winners Sevilla begin the defence of their crown against a Real Union side who will be looking to repeat their Madrid heroics of a couple of years ago.

Europa League champions Atletico Madrid, who lost 2-0 to Sevilla in May's final, face Universidad de Las Palmas while 2009 runners-up Athletic will be well aware of what their opponents Alcorcon are capable of.

Villarreal play Polideportivo Ejido for the second time in three seasons after suffering an embarrassing 6-1 aggregate defeat to them in 2008.

El Portugalete, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, take on Getafe.

There are four all-Primera Division ties in the fourth round - when the top-flight clubs enter the competition -with Real Sociedad meeting Almeria, Osasuna taking on Deportivo La Coruna, Hercules facing Malaga and Real Mallorca playing Sporting Gijon.

The first legs of these ties are scheduled to take place on October 27 with the return meetings being played on November 10.

Full draw: Real Murcia v Real Madrid, Real Union v Sevilla, Logrones v Valencia, Ceuta v Barcelona, Polideportivo Ejido v Villarreal, Universidad de Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid, Portugalete v Getafe, Real Betis v Real Zaragoza, Xerez v Levante, Cordoba v Racing Santander, Alcorcon v Athletic Bilbao, Real Valladolid v Espanyol, Real Sociedad v Almeria, Osasuna v Deportivo La Coruna, Hercules v Malaga and Real Mallorca v Sporting Gijon.

"Mourinho like a cheating husband"

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has compared Jose Mourinho's exit to "a husband cheating on his wife".

After joining the Italians in 2008, Mourinho led them to the Scudetto before winning a historic treble with the club in 2009/10.

However, despite pleas from the players and club hierarchy, the Portuguese opted to leave when Real Madrid came calling in the summer.

Moratti, who had always enjoyed a good relationship with the coach, told calciomercatoweb.it: "It was like a husband cheating on his wife, but seeing as he cares for her and doesn't have the courage to admit to it, he climbed out the window."

At one point Moratti had even compared Mourinho to legendary coach Helenio Herrera, but refused to draw the same parallel this time round.

"Is Mourinho like Herrera? Football has changed," said the president.

"The coaches didn't used to be on the transfer market, but now they are. Mourinho and Herrera do have many things in common: they are genial, professional, but above all do hard work.

"‘Il Mago' worked so much and the same can be said of Mourinho."

Life under new coach Rafael Benitez has not been the smoothest so far for Inter Milan with both Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito admitting they've already had differences with the Spaniard.

Mourinho: "I am satisfied given the circumstances"

"We played better when we were both down to ten men"

Realmadrid.com / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Jose Mourinho was satisfied with the victory against Espanyol.

"We took three points and grabbed the first position on the table. We'll see if we are still at the top tomorrow night after Valencia's game. We had more chances to score in the second half and grew calmer. This team still needs to improve, but above all it needs to rest."

"I am satisfied given the circumstances because it isn't easy to play on a potato field, it isn't easy to play a third game having had only two days to recover, and it isn't easy to face an opponent that had nothing to lose. My team played a great game. These are the easiest games for teams who are between the fifth and tenth position of the table: they feel no pressure, they are motivated, and they are quality sides. It's great for them if they win, but if they lose by playing well their morale is boosted nonetheless."

"We played well with Khedira and Arbeloa because the team was tighter. Our three central midfielders made us solid and we began to put more pressure, to make easier steals and to keep more possession in attack while our forwards had their backs covered. Balance comes from playing and thinking at the same time. We found balance right at the end, when the pitch grew larger because the game lacked two players but it was really smaller because our side was tighter. I hesitated at first to make two substitutions after Espanyol were left with ten men, but I had already made my mind up and my team needed to be tighter. We controlled the game better from then on."

"Real Madrid only have one coach who can make decisions, and he always makes them after thinking carefully about them. He sometimes uses intuition, but most of his decisions are carefully thought through. My team was tired and it wasn't tight; we were beginning to lose control for the first time in the game. Khedira, Xabi and Lass made the lines come closer together."

"The team is tired because it still isn't a proper team and the coach doesn't use rotations. I usually rotate four or five players successfully once my teams are constructed after years of work. I will do this with Real Madrid whenever I feel the team is in a different stage of construction. We will be at a different level in February if we reach the next round in the Champions League. I will use rotations then. I prefer not to use them for now."

"I prefer to talk about referees when they do a good job. I talked about the ref in San sebastian because it was a pleasure to see such a good performance. I'd rather not comment on the ref today. He wasn't fortunate and we were left with ten men. Espanyol were innocent enough to earn a red card just after this happened. I was too far to see Higuain being elbowed. I haven't seen the penalty on a TV yet, so I cannot comment."

"I work with my players to improve on defending from free-kicks. You have to protect your face when in doubt. You must jump or stay still when defending a free-kick depending on what the coach tells you, but you should never use your arms. These are negative doubts, but the referee didn't do a good job tonight. His decision didn't really influence the score, which is what matters and what we all ultimately want."