I rate him very high! I really do. But that clasico was a pure demonstration by Barca and saying they are not humiliated is crap, sadly.

Imagine Madrid would have won 5-0. He would have been the first to be all over the press saying how they dominated and all. And now its like "its just a game." Hell ist not. Its a lot more than that anyway...

Mourinho hoping for immediate response

All eyes will be on Jose Mourinho to see how he recovers with Real Madrid after their 5-0 mauling against Barcelona.

Heading into the first 'El Clasico' of the season against bitter rivals Barca at the Nou Camp, Mourinho boasted an unbeaten record as coach of Madrid, with 15 wins from 19 games in all competitions.

That success left Madrid with a one-point lead over Barca at the top of the Primera Division and through to the last 16 of the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

However, Madrid lost both first place in La Liga and their unbeaten record under Mourinho, and the question now is how the big-spending capital club will bounce back from being what the Spanish press described as 'humiliated', 'thrashed' and 'ridiculed' by their biggest rivals.

Madrid do not return to training until tomorrow, but they will not have long to lick their wounds as they face a busy December with five games in 18 days - including testing Primera Division clashes with Valencia and Sevilla, plus the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie against Levante.

For Mourinho though, the sooner his side get back into action the better.

Following last night's thrashing - which was the heaviest defeat of his coaching career - the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach said: "We must have character.

"You cannot cry when you concede four or five goals. You must be anxious to return to work and win the next match. I wish the Valencia match was tomorrow and not Saturday. After such a bad match you must go right back to work, play and win."

Mourinho has been keen to stress throughout his side's impressive start to the season that new-look Madrid will be a work in progress for the foreseeable future, and last night's match showed the Whites are not the finished product yet.

General director Jorge Valdano believes the heavy defeat could serve as a valuable lesson to Mourinho's developing side - which included five players aged 23 or under in last night's starting line-up and four players making their Clasico debuts

"It's been a game which will help us understand football at the highest level and to continue maturing. Madrid is a team for men and situations like this test your manliness. We will all know how to overcome this situation," Valdano said.

Barca's win puts them in pole position in the Primera Division standings and also, if recent history is anything to go by, on course to retain their title.

In the last six seasons the winner of the first Clasico of the campaign would go on to end the season as champions.

However, both Madrid and Barca have been keen to play down the importance of last night's result with regards to the title race.

Valdano, whose club have gone two years without any silverware while in the same time watching Barca claim eight trophies, said: "We have very good players, a competent coach and this cannot be a decisive blow (in the title race) in the 13th week of the season."

Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso added: "We did not expect this, but there is still a lot of season left and nothing has finished. We are not happy, but we shouldn't jump to conclusions. We must only look towards the future."

Barca captain Carles Puyol, meanwhile, said in AS: "This victory is only worth three points.

"I'm convinced that we are (both) going to continue on the same line because Madrid have a great team."

Jose Mourinho Astrologically

He is an aquarian,the holder of the following characteristics

These people first make sure they know what is expected from them in any task before actually taking up that task. Then they go about their work in a distinctive way. It’s not that they have no respect for the rules; they just wanna do things their way, without any intervention. So the superiors need to stay away from their area and not worry about the quality of output, because it will be assuredly top notch. They are very reliable and will give each task their most, unless you stick your head in and tell them it’s not the way to do it.

Generally speaking, Aquarians are not too involved in petty organizational politics and quarrels. If they are ill-treated, they rise above personal battle and try to resolve issues with their flair and ability. If they have a promotion or increment coming their way, they accept it with poise and the confidence that they can take up the added responsibility. So whatever might be a situation, they have the ability of not get distracted and go about their work in a simple and straightforward fashion. To add to this, they have a great amount of resilience. They can practically work all day. The only thing is that they will prefer taking a coffee break or doing nothing at all in stead of doing something that they consider to be a waste of time, a petty formality.

All these qualities make Aquarians stand out in a crowd – their dedication, their concentration, and above all their different and sometimes peculiar way of working. These things come very naturally to them, so they get noticed by superiors without actually realizing it.

UEFA add salt to Mourinho's wounds

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's week just got worse as he was handed a one-match Champions League ban by UEFA.

Mourinho got the ban and a fine after UEFA found him guilty of improper conduct relating to the recent dismissals of players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.

Mourinho has been banned from the touchline for two UEFA competition matches - the second of which is suspended for three years - with the club fined 120,000 euros after the two players seemed to deliberately incur second bookings, therefore wiping out previous cautions ahead of the Champions League knockout stage.

The Portuguese coach will consequently only miss the dead rubber against Auxerre, providing he does not breach UEFA rules within "a probationary period of three years".

While Mourinho has also been fined to the tune of 40,000 euros, the players involved have escaped with only financial penalties by UEFA's control and disciplinary body.

Alonso and Ramos - who both received second yellow cards for conspicuous time wasting - must pay 20,000 euros each. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his reserve Jerzy Dudek, who seemed to pass on messages, must pay 10,000 euros and 5,000 euros respectively.

The one-match bans automatically handed to Alonso and Ramos for the dismissals will stand.

UEFA's statement today said: "Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings concerning the improper conduct of Real Madrid CF coach Jose Mourinho and players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek during the UEFA Champions League Group G game against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam on Tuesday 23 November, the UEFA control and disciplinary body dealt with the case today and decided the following:

"The Spanish club's coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended from coaching activities for two UEFA club competition matches, of which the second is deferred for a probationary period of three years. He was also fined 40,000 euros.

"Players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were fined 20,000 euros, Iker Casillas was fined 10,000 euros and Jerzy Dudek was fined 5,000 euros.

"The red cards given to Alonso and Ramos stand, and they have therefore been suspended for one UEFA club competition match.

"The control and disciplinary body has decided to fine Real Madrid CF 120,000 euros.

"An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoning for the decision."

Madrid hovering around Almeida

Real Madrid have identified Werder Bremen frontman Hugo Almeida in a bid to boost their striking options.

According to a report in Bild newspaper, the Portuguese forward is under consideration within the Madrid hierarchy as Los Blancos assess their offensive firepower following an injury to Argentine sharpshooter Gonzago Higuain.

In fact, Almeida has already admitted that he would jump at the chance to join the Jose Mourinho revolution at Madrid.

"I still have not had any contact with them," Almeida said. "But it would be a dream to play for Real Madrid.

"For me, this is the biggest club in the world with the best coach and best players."

In fact, Almeida is already attracting interest from Italy and Portugal respectively, with the likes of Lazio and Juventus along with Porto and Sporting Lisbon circling around the Bremen striker.

Stunned Valdano accepts defeat

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano described his side`s 5-0 mauling at the hands of Barcelona as "very disappointing".

Mourinho suffered his heaviest-ever loss as coach, lost his unbeaten record as Madrid boss and saw his team surrender top spot in the Primera Division to Barca after slumping to a comprehensive defeat at the Nou Camp.

It was a chastening experience for the new-look Madrid side - which included five players aged 23 or under in last night`s starting line-up and four players making their Clasico debuts - but Valdano feels it can be used as part of the learning curve.

"It`s been a game which will help us understand football at the highest level and to continue maturing. Madrid is a team for men and situations like this test your manliness. We will all know how to overcome this situation," he said.

The former Argentina international added: "We went into the game with the least goals conceded (six) and most scored (33), meaning we had played impeccably.

"We have very good players, a competent coach and this cannot be a decisive blow (in title race) in the 13th week of the season."

Madrid, who had won 15 and drawn the other four of their opening 19 games under Mourinho, could hardly have had a worse start at the Nou Camp after conceding twice in the opening 18 minutes, Xavi and Pedro Rodriguez on the mark for Barca.

There was no way back for the visitors after that and a brace from David Villa and a late goal from substitute Jeffren completed a one-sided scoreline that might have been even bigger.

That was the fifth successive Clasico defeat for Madrid, who also saw Sergio Ramos sent off in stoppage-time for a bad foul on Lionel Messi.

Valdano said on his club`s website: "We didn't expect such a large margin of defeat and we are very disappointed.

"We were very uncomfortable against an opponent that enjoyed playing from the very start. We applaud Barcelona and we hope that we can give an exhibition of football in the return match."

Maradona irks furious Real Madrid

Diega Maradona is apparently not welcomed at Real Madrid after his comments last week offended senior club officials.

According to Telam, the 1986 World Cup winning legend infuriated club president Florentino Perez and sporting director Jorge Valdano by praising coach Jose Mourinho for instilling order into the squad which "was a free-for-all" before Mourinho arrived.

Matters have been further compounded by Valdano, a former international colleague of Maradona, having a personal dispute with the latter stretching back years ago.

However, despite the warmth and respect Mourinho and Maradona shared for each other when the former Argentina boss visited the club last week, word has even circulated that Maradona's presence at Real was to distract the team ahead of their El Clasico clash with Barcelona.

Real eventually suffered a massively embarrassing 5-0 defeat to their fiercest rivals on Monday, further adding fuel to the rumours.

UEFA add salt to Mourinho's wounds

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's week just got worse as he was handed a one-match Champions League ban by UEFA.

Mourinho got the ban and a fine after UEFA found him guilty of improper conduct relating to the recent dismissals of players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.

Mourinho has been banned from the touchline for two UEFA competition matches - the second of which is suspended for three years - with the club fined 120,000 euros after the two players seemed to deliberately incur second bookings, therefore wiping out previous cautions ahead of the Champions League knockout stage.

The Portuguese coach will consequently only miss the dead rubber against Auxerre, providing he does not breach UEFA rules within "a probationary period of three years".

While Mourinho has also been fined to the tune of 40,000 euros, the players involved have escaped with only financial penalties by UEFA's control and disciplinary body.

Alonso and Ramos - who both received second yellow cards for conspicuous time wasting - must pay 20,000 euros each. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas and his reserve Jerzy Dudek, who seemed to pass on messages, must pay 10,000 euros and 5,000 euros respectively.

The one-match bans automatically handed to Alonso and Ramos for the dismissals will stand.

UEFA's statement today said: "Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings concerning the improper conduct of Real Madrid CF coach Jose Mourinho and players Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek during the UEFA Champions League Group G game against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam on Tuesday 23 November, the UEFA control and disciplinary body dealt with the case today and decided the following:

"The Spanish club's coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended from coaching activities for two UEFA club competition matches, of which the second is deferred for a probationary period of three years. He was also fined 40,000 euros.

"Players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were fined 20,000 euros, Iker Casillas was fined 10,000 euros and Jerzy Dudek was fined 5,000 euros.

"The red cards given to Alonso and Ramos stand, and they have therefore been suspended for one UEFA club competition match.

"The control and disciplinary body has decided to fine Real Madrid CF 120,000 euros.

"An appeal may be lodged against the ruling within three days of the dispatch of the reasoning for the decision."

what a money !!! I hope it was worth it.

Mourinho: We lacked confidence

Real Madrid chief Jose Mourinho has claimed that only three points mattered for his charges after they dispatched Valencia 2-0.

Following last Monday's traumatic 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona in the El Clasico, Mourinho opted for a more tepid approach as they looked to recover from their Nou Camp nightmare.

Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo duly delivered the goods, though they came late into the encounter as his double strike on 73 and 87 minutes gave Mourinho some much needed relief.

In his post match press conference, Mourinho defended his cautious mentality, admitting that proceedings last week rendered his decision to alter his line-up.

"The most important thing for us tonight was to win a complicated match following the terrible result we earned in our previous encounter," he revealed to the club's official website.

"It was more important not to suffer at the start of the game than to attack too much given that we lacked some confidence and self-esteem. That's why I changed the lineup. Conceding a goal could have destroyed the confidence and self-esteem we had left. That's why I decided to use a fuller, more pressurizing and defensively stronger midfield. It wasn't the day to play a great game or score many goals.

"The game changed. We played with three attackers when Karim (Benzema) came on; we dominated the match and won. It was important to leave a different impression tonight at home."

"The regulations allow assistant coaches to instruct the players. My team couldn't afford to feel pressure from me nor from outsiders today. It needed stability and we provided it without fearing we would lose or play a bad game. We were never scared about losing. We've won eleven of our 14 games so far, and all of our home games. We've also won four of our five Champions League clashes."

Mourinho also elaborated on his surprise selection which saw defenders Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Albiol earning starts in place of Ricardo Carvalho and Sergio Ramos.

He explained: "I wasn't worried about having to use Albiol and Arbeloa in the starting eleven. They are very important players. They are both very good, serious and true team workers.

They work to the fullest and they've always played well this season. This was Albiol's first league game as a starter in the present campaign and he was fantastic. It wasn't a problem for us not to have Ramos and Carvalho. I knew Albiol and Arbeloa would respond well."

"I don't want to talk about the referee, mainly because I can't, but also because, if I did, I couldn't just talk about Albelda's red card, but also about the penalty we weren't awarded, another possible red card and many other things."

"I respected Valencia for being a difficult opponent and I proved this by using a lineup that provided us with more stability."

Valencia's miserable day was compounded when defensive midfielder David Albelda was sent off in the second half after collecting his second yellow card.

Aga,RM will pay all the fines,not a penny out of their pockets,dont worry...

Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia

Cristiano Ronaldo struck both goals as Real Madrid recovered from their Nou Camp mauling with a hard-fought win against Valencia.

The impressive Ronaldo, who had been struggling with an ankle injury in the build-up to the game, netted in the 73rd and 87th minutes at the Bernabeu after Valencia had lost midfielder David Albelda to a second booking earlier in the second half.

The victory, which made it seven out of seven at home for Madrid this season, keeps Jose Mourinho's men two points behind Barcelona, who beat Osasuna earlier in the evening.

Madrid had lost top spot, and their unbeaten start under Mourinho, after being thrashed 5-0 by Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Monday.

Madrid were without three key players for Saturday's game against fifth-placed Valencia - Gonzalo Higuain injured and Sergio Ramos and Ricardo Carvalho suspended - and the capital club took a while to get into their stride.

Valencia created the first chance in a low-key first half when, in the 12th minute, former Madrid youngster Juan Mata drew a good low save out of Iker Casillas.

From the resulting corner Roberto Soldado, another ex-Madrid product, escaped from marker Pepe but fired over at the front post.

Madrid's only serious efforts in the opening half-hour came from Angel Di Maria and Ronaldo, whose shots should have been comfortable for Vicente Guaita but the third-choice Valencia goalkeeper allowed both to squirm away from him.

That would have done little to settle the 23-year-old custodian's nerves on a rare appearance for Los Che, but he would have felt a lot better in the 35th minute when he came out on top in a one-on-one with Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira.

That chance sparked an improved spell from Madrid, who almost scored with a superb breakaway before Guaita parried Mesut Ozil's free-kick.

The closest either side would come in the first half, though, arrived right on the stroke of half-time when Ronaldo's audacious back-heel rebounded off the far post.

That was the last action of the first half, but Madrid picked up where they left off after the break with Guaita doing superbly to deny Ronaldo, Di Maria and substitute Karim Benzema in the opening 15 minutes.

At the other end Valencia were still causing a few problems going forward and Soldado should have done better with a free header on the hour.

Madrid received a big boost in the 65th minute when veteran Valencia midfielder Albelda was sent off for a second yellow after being adjudged to have handled the ball near the halfway line.

The referee did not spot the infringement, initially giving a throw-in, but on the advice of his assistant handed the Valencia man his second caution.

Albelda vented his fury at the linesman, claiming the ball had hit his shoulder, but Valencia were down to 10 men.

It took Madrid just eight minutes to make their numerical advantage count, Ozil slipping in Ronaldo down the left before the Portugal international smashed a left-footed shot past Guaita.

Di Maria almost made it 2-0 soon after before Valencia gave their hosts a scare when Tino Costa tested Casillas and Joaquin Sanchez saw his follow-up shot deflected inches wide.

Ronaldo ensured the points would be staying in Madrid, though, as he doubled his side's lead just before the end.

Lassana Diarra robbed Valencia of possession inside Madrid's half before feeding the ball to Ronaldo, who ran from halfway, wrong-footed Ricardo Costa before slamming an unstoppable shot past Guaita for his league-leading 16th goal of the season.

Real scared off by Dzeko price tag

Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko will not be joining Real Madrid in January as the Spanish giants are baulking at his €40 million transfer fee.

According to German newspaper Bild, the powerful Bosnian was rumoured to be on Real's radar during the January transfer market following the potential loss of striker Gonzalo Higuain for up to two months due to injury.

However, with the German outfit demanding nothing less than €40 million, Real are refusing to stump up the cash to snag the forward to the Spanish capital.

The nine-time European champions will instead look to alternate targets such as Athletic Bilbao's lanky frontman Fernando Llorente from Athletic Bilbao or Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida.

However, reports have emanated that Real will only have a €25m transfer warchest, which means they could even miss out on Llorente, who has a release clause of €36m.

The future of Dzeko however, looks likely to be in Turin with Italian media speculating that a deal with Juventus is imminent.

I hope Madrid won't buy another star this winter, I want the players of Castilla to have their chance; Morata, Mateos, Juan Carlos, Alex, Nacho, Javi H., Granero, Garay... It's shame that Madrid's selling our canteranos - every year! -, so the other clubs can make them better and famous. We need more players like Iker, Raul or Guti. We need our products, real Madridistas. I hope Mou thinks the same, 'cos apparently Perez doesn't.

picture's from match against Valencia

Stars is what madrid is about,but i think Ozil,Khedira and the young boys are performing so well that Granero,Garay etc are pushed to the benches themselves.Competition is too high...

Mourinho satisfied by job done

Coach Jose Mourinho felt it was mission accomplished for Real Madrid after a much-needed victory over Valencia.

Looking to bounce back from their humiliating 5-0 mauling at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona on Monday, Madrid started off slowly against fifth-placed Valencia and only pulled away in the final 25 minutes.

The dismissal of Valencia midfielder David Albelda gave Madrid the numerical advantage and Cristiano Ronaldo ensured it was not wasted, scoring in the 73rd and 87th minutes to secure a 2-0 win.

It may not have been the most fluid or entertaining of performances from Madrid, but for Mourinho the key was getting the three points.

"The most important thing was to win a difficult game after the bad result of Monday," said Mourinho, who opted to start with a more defensive line-up than usual with Lassana Diarra joining Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in midfield.

"We lacked self-confidence and I didn't want us to suffer. If we had conceded a goal it could have destroyed what self-confidence the team had left and that's why I played with a stronger central midfield.

"We were never scared about losing. We've won 11 of our 14 games so far, and all of our home games. We've also won four of our five Champions League clashes."

He added: "It wasn't the day to have a great game, nor score lots of goals, the only thing that mattered was winning.

"It was important to leave a different impression at home."

Madrid director general Jorge Valdano, whose club remain two points behind leaders Barca at the summit, added: "This result was especially important.

"We received a blow on Monday and if we hadn't won here we would have run the risk of falling adrift in the title fight.

"We had to wait for the win, but it arrived in the end and it could have been even bigger.

"We want to thank the crowd for the support it always gives us and the team for their efforts against a great side that have made things very difficult for us."

Mourinho satisfied by job done

Coach Jose Mourinho felt it was mission accomplished for Real Madrid after a much-needed victory over Valencia.

Looking to bounce back from their humiliating 5-0 mauling at the hands of bitter rivals Barcelona on Monday, Madrid started off slowly against fifth-placed Valencia and only pulled away in the final 25 minutes.

The dismissal of Valencia midfielder David Albelda gave Madrid the numerical advantage and Cristiano Ronaldo ensured it was not wasted, scoring in the 73rd and 87th minutes to secure a 2-0 win.

It may not have been the most fluid or entertaining of performances from Madrid, but for Mourinho the key was getting the three points.

"The most important thing was to win a difficult game after the bad result of Monday," said Mourinho, who opted to start with a more defensive line-up than usual with Lassana Diarra joining Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira in midfield.

"We lacked self-confidence and I didn't want us to suffer. If we had conceded a goal it could have destroyed what self-confidence the team had left and that's why I played with a stronger central midfield.

"We were never scared about losing. We've won 11 of our 14 games so far, and all of our home games. We've also won four of our five Champions League clashes."

He added: "It wasn't the day to have a great game, nor score lots of goals, the only thing that mattered was winning.

"It was important to leave a different impression at home."

Madrid director general Jorge Valdano, whose club remain two points behind leaders Barca at the summit, added: "This result was especially important.

"We received a blow on Monday and if we hadn't won here we would have run the risk of falling adrift in the title fight.

"We had to wait for the win, but it arrived in the end and it could have been even bigger.

"We want to thank the crowd for the support it always gives us and the team for their efforts against a great side that have made things very difficult for us."

One step shy of making Champions League history

By defeating Auxerre, Real Madrid would earn five victories and one draw in the competition, a first by any side since there is a group stage

Laura Navas / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Real Madrid have already reached the Last 16 of the Champions League as group leaders, but by defeating Auxerre on Wednesday they could become the first team to earn five victories and one draw since the group stage was created. If they manage to concede no goals they would break their own record by having conceded just two in the group stage. Cristiano Ronaldo also has a chance of becoming the top scorer in Group G; Ibrahimovic currently tops the ranking with one more strike than the Portuguese forward.

Real Madrid have won six, drawn three and lost one of all their games against French sides in the Champions League. Jose Mourinho has earned seven victories against French teams and only one defeat.

Real Madrid have also won all of their games at the Santiago Bernabeu this season in every championship. By defeating Auxerre, the team would earn its third straight home victory in the Champions League.

REAL MADRID'S BEST NUMBERS IN THE GROUP STAGE

SEASON GP GW GD GL GF GA

2009/10 5 5 0 1 15 7

2003/04 5 4 2 0 11 5

1999/2000 5 4 4 4 15 7

2001/02 5 4 1 1 13 5

2000/01 5 4 1 1 15 8