Rosell: Barca will ignore Jose, Wenger

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell says his club will respond to criticism from Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger on the pitch.

Real Madrid boss Mourinho has been typically spiky in the media about his rivals all season.

Wenger, meanwhile, has made headlines with his outspoken views about Arsenal's Champions League exit to Barca, particularly Tuesday's second-leg defeat.

Rosell, however, feels no need to respond to such public criticism.

"I'm happy my coach and players speak on the pitch," he said. "(Lionel) Messi does his speaking on the field and that's what Pep (Guardiola) does too, in his way."

With Barca seven points clear of nearest rivals Real Madrid and seemingly heading for a third successive title under Guardiola, Rosell remains cautious.

"Winning is important but you take it step by step," he said. "There is no point making calculations now.

"In football you cannot say anything until the mathematics proves it. With so many games left, seven points is nothing."

Rosell remains determined to preserve Barca's heritage, by continuing to put faith in youth development and keeping the club's most famous emblems just as they are.

"We will not sell the stadium name," he insisted today. "There are things that can be discussed more or less and there was talk of the Qatar Foundation being involved but that will not happen.

"Barcelona not only care about winning titles, but by how they earn them.

"This does not happen anywhere else in the world, it is part of our culture, it is essential and we want to keep showing that."

Rosell would be happy to draw Tottenham in the Champions League quarter-finals.

"If we play against Tottenham it will be perfect because I'm in love with London, but any team will be fine," he said.

Real starlet on Gunners' radar

Real Madrid are set to open talks with starlet Pablo Sarabia in a bid to ward off advances from Arsenal.

The midfielder is currently starring for the club's second team Castilla and is thought to be held in high regard by coaching staff at the club. Jose Mourinho handed the 19-year-old his Real debut earlier in the season when he came on against Auxerre in the UEFA Champions League.

His agent Gines Carvajal confimed that interest in Sarabia is growing, with Real now keen to tie him down to a professional deal to avoid losing him for a minimal fee.

"Some clubs are looking at Sarabia and Real knows this," Carvajal was quoted on Skysports.com as saying.

"The kid wants to triumph in Real and I will have a meeting with the club's directors at the end of the season."

According to Sky, Arsenal's top scout in Iberia, Francis Cagigao has recommended the player to manager Arsene Wenger.

Cagigao is widely considered to be the man who initiated Gunners' interest in Cesc Fabregas.

Neville: Mourinho won't replace Fergie

Retired Manchester United defender Gary Neville has urged Jose Mourinho to forget about managing Manchester United anytime soon.

Talks on who will replace Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm of United when he finally calls it a day continue to be on the lips of many.

And Mourinho, who is currently at Real Madrid, has been widely tipped as the top candidate for the hot seat at Old Trafford and is reportedly planning a move back to England at the end of the season.

But Neville, who recently announced his retirement from football after spending 20 long years with United, has thrown a wet blanket on the Portuguese's hopes of managing the Red Devils.

The 36-year-old was quoted in The Sun as saying: "There are many great managers and there's always speculation about who's going to take over from Sir Alex.

"I'm sure when the time does come, Mourinho is one of the candidates who will be mentioned because of the success he's had elsewhere.

"He's a character. You have to respect people for what they do and he's very good at what he does. He's been successful wherever he's been.

"But it doesn't come into my head at this moment in time as Sir Alex is still going stronger than ever.

"It's a waste of time to start speculating who will take over from him."

Meanwhile, Ferguson looks poised to land his 12th Premier League title should United fend off the challenge of Arsenal, who are currently just three points behind them with a game in hand.

DISQUS...

"Mourinho will play for goalless draw"

Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas believes Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho will play for a goalless draw in their Champions League clash on Wednesday.

Both sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first-leg of their last-16 tie at the Stade de Gerland with Mourinho's men taking a precious away goal back to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return leg.

As his charges travel to Madrid with all odds against them, Aulas has questioned Mourinho's approach to the game, insisting the Portuguese will play for a goalless draw.

Speaking to the club's official website, Aulas said: "I am sure Mourinho will play for a 0-0.

"But, we will try to qualify and if we do it will be an unprecedented feat. The conditions are not the same as last year, and it will be even harder to go through having drawed at home. We are not afraid of anyone."

Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan is well aware of the massive task awaiting his side but remains upbeat over their chances.

He added: "It will be massive if we go through as Real Madrid have a better defensive structure at the back this season.

"We have to take advantage of the spaces though and we must be careful in the first half hour as I think Real Madrid will want to score early."

Lyon and Madrid are currently third and second in their domestic leagues respectively.

Real Madrid vs Lyon Preview

Jose Mourinho has yet to reveal if Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for Real Madrid's vital Champions League last 16 second-leg clash.

The £80million striker, 26, damaged his hamstring in the 7-0 thrashing of Malaga on March 3, and at the time of the injury the club stated he would be sidelined for between 10 and 15 days.

Mourinho must now decide whether Ronaldo is ready to feature for the nine-time European champions, with the tie well poised at 1-1 from the first leg.

He told marca.com: "I don't know whether he is going to play or not. We'll wait until the final training session to decide. I'm not a doctor and I'm not the player so I will leave it to the medical department to decide.

"I do not like to decide anything on game day - I like to be clear a day earlier. I have nothing to hide. If he is well, he will play. But you will have to wait a little."

Madrid's recent record in the competition is in stark contrast to their position as the most decorated team in the tournament's history, having been dumped out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage in each of the last six seasons. Lyon were the team who eliminated them from last season's competition, denying Madrid the possibility of playing in a Champions League final on their home Bernabeu pitch.

Mourinho, who won that final with Inter Milan, refused to read too much into Madrid's own poor recent record or his own impressive form in the competition, having also won it as coach of Porto in 2004.

"Everyone has a past, positive and negative. But the past does not play a part," he added.

"I usually have good results in the Champions League and have reached finals and semi-finals. But neither my good results and play for Madrid's poor results in recent years play a part. They are unique matches. The tie is open, although we have a tiny advantage when the game starts."

Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has called on the Bernabeu crowd to give the team their full backing.

Spain's World Cup-winning captain said: "We know that the environment in the Champions League is different and we need them (the crowd).

"The best moment I remember from the Champions League was a Real Madrid-Bayern in which we had to overcome a 2-1 deficit. The crowd turned to the team.

"We know the Champions League environment is different, we need the public to get behind us. People have to help us and, together, be in the quarter-finals."

Lyon reached the semi-finals last year, with Miralem Pjanic scoring the vital goal at the Bernabeu last season.

The Bosnian midfielder, quoted in his home country's media, said: "We have travelled to Madrid to score a goal, to advance to the quarter-finals. We have quality and if we continue with our level of play will achieve a new success.

"Most importantly we must resist the early pressure. Also our coach will prepare the appropriate tactic."

Lyon have never lost at the Bernabeu, having drawn in all three of their previous visits to the Spanish capital.

On the injury front, aside from Ronaldo there is a question mark around Pedro Leon, who missed Madrid's weekend win over Hercules after straining a knee in training.

Sami Khedira and Ezequiel Garay both returned to the substitutes bench against Hercules, with the Germany midfielder coming on before the hour mark. Kaka has not played since suffering a knee injury on February 26, while Fernando Gago is out with a torn adductor. Argentinian forward Gonzalo Higuain is set to miss the rest of the season with a slipped disc suffered in November.

For Lyon, full-back Aly Cissokho (knee) missed out against Sochaux at the weekend, as did playmaker Yoann Gourcuff with a bruised toe.

Mourinho: I will defy Real's history

Jose Mourinho believes he can break Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League jinx and qualify for the quarter-finals.

The La Liga giants have failed to get past the round-of-16 in the last six seasons and were eliminated by bogey team Olympique Lyon last year.

The French side are once again in their path, but with a 1-1 away draw giving them the advantage, Mourinho believes that this time will be different.

"My team are not afraid of recent history; statistics exist so that we can go out and contradict them," said the 48-year-old to uefa.com.

"Sure [Lyon] have quality, but we must eliminate them.

"I've already done that [with Porto] on my way to winning the tournament."

The Portuguese has won the competition with Porto in 2004.

Mourinho: I've a great club behind me

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has welcomed club president Florentino Perez's words of support for him.

In response to Mourinho's complaints about the league scheduling for Madrid matches, Perez said earlier on Saturday that the Portuguese was 'defending the club'.

Perez said: "Defending Real Madrid from what we believe to be unjust, irregular and arbitrary is the Madrid way, and this is precisely what our coach, Jose Mourinho, does."

When asked about those comments following Saturday's 2-0 home win over Hercules, Mourinho said: "I've not heard what the president said, because I don't read or watch anything on match days in order to stay focused, but if it's like I've been told, it could be an important speech for the future.

"If we are all together, and we feel the same difficulties, problems and injustices, we will surely be stronger."

He added: "A great club needs a great coach, but the great coaches are only that if they have a great club behind them.

"And to have the support of the president is very important for me."

Madrid's victory over Hercules saw them provisionally cut Barcelona's lead at the top of the La Liga summit to four points, with the Catalan side playing Sevilla on Sunday.

Mourinho praised his side for their performance and also said two-goal hero Karim Benzema was "better than ever".

He said: "I'm very happy with the team, although I didn't like the first half much. Games preceding and following Champions League encounters are always difficult to play.

"In the second half we were better and Hercules had less of the ball."

The triumph was also the ideal way to warm up for Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second leg against Lyon, where Madrid will be attempting to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven seasons.

Madrid are favourites after drawing the first leg 1-1 but Lyon knocked out the Spanish giants at the same stage last season and Mourinho is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "Every game you don't win is a tough blow, and there are many of those throughout a coach's career.

"You obviously can't always win or get through to semi-finals.

"Lyon are a very good team with experience and tradition in the Champions League. On Wednesday we are going to have a difficult game and we must be at our best.

"We can play with 11 men or with 12, and this 12th man is the Bernabeu. Over there Lyon played with 12 because their stadium, although small, was with their team. With the public's support we will be stronger."

Real Madrid 3-0 Lyon (4-1 on agg.)

Real Madrid progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in seven years after beating Lyon 3-0.

Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria struck the goals as Madrid put to bed their miserable record of having fallen at this same last-16 stage for six successive editions - including against Lyon last season.

The victory also means Madrid are a step closer to winning a record 10th European title, and keeps coach Jose Mourinho on course to conquer Europe with three different teams following his success with Porto and then Inter Milan last year.

Madrid started in frenetic fashion and Hugo Lloris did well to deny Mesut Ozil and Marcelo before Sami Khedira headed a corner against the post, although he was penalised for his challenge on the Lyon goalkeeper.

The home side were unable to continue that early dominance though, and Lyon gradually started to enjoy more possession and they gave Madrid a scare in the 21st minute when Cesar Delgado brought a diving parry out of Iker Casillas.

Madrid were back on the attack soon after that and Cristiano Ronaldo - back in the side following a two-match absence due to injury - drew a brilliant diving save out of Lloris with a thunderous strike.

However, where Madrid's much-vaunted attackers were unable to find a way through, full-back Marcelo succeeded in the 37th minute to put Mourinho's men ahead.

The Brazil international charged forward from his left-back berth, played a one-two with Ronaldo on the edge of the area, superbly cut inside sliding Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and thumped a shot past Lloris, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

That was the breakthrough Madrid were seeking, and in-form striker Benzema almost made it 2-0 moments later with a well-struck effort that produced another great finger-tip save from Lloris.

In Madrid's very next attack Benzema found the back of the net with a header but the former Lyon striker, who had netted eight times in his previous six games, saw his celebrations cut short by an offside flag.

Lyon coach Claude Puel introduced Bafetimbi Gomis, the French side's goalscorer in the 1-1 first leg draw, at half-time, but it was Madrid who continued to make most of the running in the second period.

Benzema (twice) and Sergio Ramos both went close before the former continued his fine scoring form by making it 2-0 in the 65th minute.

Marcelo's long ball over the top was latched onto by the £30million striker and he slotted his shot through the legs of Lloris.

Benzema was then denied by the Lyon custodian as Madrid sought a third, before Casillas was finally called into action again in the 71st minute to parry a well-struck Gomis shot which almost dropped inside the far post.

A goal then would have given Lyon hope, but within four minutes they were 3-0 down and on their way out of the competition.

Ozil's header put Di Maria through and the Argentina winger coolly dinked his shot over Lloris to seal Madrid's 25th successive home win in all competitions and, more importantly, a berth in the last eight of the Champions League at long last.

Mourinho out to avoid Inter or Chelsea

Jose Mourinho wants to avoid former clubs Chelsea and Inter Milan after guiding Real Madrid into the Champions League last eight.

On Wednesday, the Portuguese manager helped book Madrid's place in quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in seven years by leading them past Lyon 3-0, to give them a 4-1 aggregate success.

The draw for the last eight will be made on Friday and Mourinho has been quick to state his desire for Madrid not play Inter Milan, who he won this competition with last season, or Chelsea, who he last managed in 2007.

"Any draw will be a serious challenge, but I do not want to play Inter or Chelsea, but we might have to," Mourinho was quoted on Skysports.com

"We are Real Madrid, it is normal for us to qualify for the quarters.

"This was a victory against a very good team, I think we deserved it after a complete performance, we played to win and deserved to."

Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria struck the goals as Madrid put to bed their miserable record of having fallen at this same last-16 stage for six successive editions - including against Lyon last season.

Lyon coach Claude Puel thinks Madrid could go all the way to the final regardless of who they face.

"Real Madrid could get to the final of the Champions League.

"They have the individual quality and if they can stay solid at the back, they could go all the way to the final."

Inter, under Mourinho, actually knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League last season enroute to lifting the trophy with the Italian outfit.

Real Madrid vs Lyon Player Ratings

Real Madrid finally made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a classy 3-0 win over Lyon.

Real Madrid

Iker Casillas - 5.5

Did not have much to do as Lyon struggled to get beyond the final third regularly.

Pepe - 5

Picked up a booking early on and looked nervous right until Real grabbed their third. Some of his clearances were panicky and could have hurt the home side on another day.

Ricardo Carvalho - 7

Led this team out of trouble numerous times and instilled calm when Pepe looked shaky.

Marcelo - 9

Is there a more adventurous left-back than him in the world right now? His first goal was Brazilian flair at his best and he seems to have improved the defensive side of his game immensely.

Sergio Ramos - 6.5

Had a good battle with Cissokho throughout the game and emerged unscathed. Managed to cut out a good number of the left-back's crosses and was himself a big threat from set-pieces as usual.

Sami Khedira - 6.5

Does not possess the same range of passing as Xabi Alonso, but the German was full of running and almost always got to the loose balls in midfield the fastest.

Xabi Alonso - 7

Was spot on with his diagonals and always around to launch Real Madrid attacks. And there were plenty of those.

Cristiano Ronaldo (off 74') - 6

Showed the effects of his lay-off with a subdued performance. Still managed to get an assist and tested Hugo Lloris with a stinging long-range effort.

Angel Di Maria (off 79') - 6

Settled the tie with a sumptuous chip from a Ozil flick on, but was generally not at his best. Tried to take on too many defenders at once and usually lost possession.

Mesut Ozil - 8.5

Was Real's playmaker in chief and boy, did he do a good job! Full of neat flicks and mazy dribbling, the German internatioanl gave a midfield masterclass.

Karim Benzema (off 84') - 9

You could literally see the confidence coursing through his veins. The Frenchman made his presence felt all over the pitch - running off defenders, nicking the ball from the Lyon midfield and generally making life miserable for his former club.

Subs

Emmanuel Adebayor (on 74') - n.a

Esteban Granero (on 79') - n.a

Lassana Diarra (on 84') - n.a

Lyon

Hugo Lloris - 8.5

Was simply sensational in goal, keeping out venomous strikes from Ronaldo and Benzema as well as superbly anticipating Ozil's raking through balls.

Dejan Lovren - 8

The best defensive player on the night. Rarely lost out to a Real forward and was only undone by a piece of magic from Marcelo.

Cris - 6

Largely solid but suffered from lapses in concentration that led Lyon down at crucial times. Was at fault for the third goal that put the tie to bed.

Aly Cissokho - 6.5

Was always available to give Lyon space on the left - and stretched the Madrid backline well, especially in the first-half. His crosses could have been better though.

Anthony Reveillere - 3

Sruggled against Marcelo and barely provided any attacking threat. Did make one superb tackle to deny Benzema, but overall it was a shoddy display.

Jeremy Toulalan - 6.5

Did well against Cristiano Ronaldo in the middle of the park and did not fall for any of the Portuguese's dazzling tricks. Poor set piece delivery though.

Kim Kallstrom - 4

Overrun by the Real Madrid midfield and did not have any impact on the game.

Yoann Gourcuff (off 69') - 3.5

A disappointing performance from one of Lyon's best players. Barely got the ball and didn't do anything with it when he did.

Cesar Delgado - 3

His behind spent more time on the ground than his feet did.

Jimmy Briand (off 45') - 3

Struggled to get into the box and was controlled very well by Ricardo Carvalho. Rightly subbed at half-time.

Lisandro Lopez - 6.5

Was one of the few Lyon men who was willing to get in amongst the Real players. Linked well with both Cissokho and Gomis when the latter came on.

Subs

Bafetimbi Gomis (on 45') - 6.5

Lyon looked far more threatening with Gomis on and the striker even managed to get a shot on target - a rarity for the French team on the night.

Jeremy Pied (on 69') - 3

As anonymous as the man he replaced.

Miralem Pjanic (on 80') - n.a

Real Madrid 3-0 Lyon (4-1 on agg.)

Real Madrid progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in seven years after beating Lyon 3-0.

Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria struck the goals as Madrid put to bed their miserable record of having fallen at this same last-16 stage for six successive editions - including against Lyon last season.

The victory also means Madrid are a step closer to winning a record 10th European title, and keeps coach Jose Mourinho on course to conquer Europe with three different teams following his success with Porto and then Inter Milan last year.

Madrid started in frenetic fashion and Hugo Lloris did well to deny Mesut Ozil and Marcelo before Sami Khedira headed a corner against the post, although he was penalised for his challenge on the Lyon goalkeeper.

The home side were unable to continue that early dominance though, and Lyon gradually started to enjoy more possession and they gave Madrid a scare in the 21st minute when Cesar Delgado brought a diving parry out of Iker Casillas.

Madrid were back on the attack soon after that and Cristiano Ronaldo - back in the side following a two-match absence due to injury - drew a brilliant diving save out of Lloris with a thunderous strike.

However, where Madrid's much-vaunted attackers were unable to find a way through, full-back Marcelo succeeded in the 37th minute to put Mourinho's men ahead.

The Brazil international charged forward from his left-back berth, played a one-two with Ronaldo on the edge of the area, superbly cut inside sliding Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and thumped a shot past Lloris, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

That was the breakthrough Madrid were seeking, and in-form striker Benzema almost made it 2-0 moments later with a well-struck effort that produced another great finger-tip save from Lloris.

In Madrid's very next attack Benzema found the back of the net with a header but the former Lyon striker, who had netted eight times in his previous six games, saw his celebrations cut short by an offside flag.

Lyon coach Claude Puel introduced Bafetimbi Gomis, the French side's goalscorer in the 1-1 first leg draw, at half-time, but it was Madrid who continued to make most of the running in the second period.

Benzema (twice) and Sergio Ramos both went close before the former continued his fine scoring form by making it 2-0 in the 65th minute.

Marcelo's long ball over the top was latched onto by the £30million striker and he slotted his shot through the legs of Lloris.

Benzema was then denied by the Lyon custodian as Madrid sought a third, before Casillas was finally called into action again in the 71st minute to parry a well-struck Gomis shot which almost dropped inside the far post.

A goal then would have given Lyon hope, but within four minutes they were 3-0 down and on their way out of the competition.

Ozil's header put Di Maria through and the Argentina winger coolly dinked his shot over Lloris to seal Madrid's 25th successive home win in all competitions and, more importantly, a berth in the last eight of the Champions League at long last.

Real, Barcelona record wins

Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil scored as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to keep up the pressure on leaders Barcelona.

Benzema struck his 10th goal from his last eight appearances to put Madrid ahead early on and Mesut Ozil added a second before the break to leave Real, who have not lost to Atletico home or away since 1999, in control.

Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back for Atletico in the 86th minute to give the hosts hope but it was not enough to deny Jose Mourinho's men, who cut Barcelona's lead back to five points after the Catalan club had beaten Getafe 2-1 earlier in the evening.

Atletico, meanwhile, missed the chance to provisionally move level with sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao after seeing their five-match unbeaten run come to an end.

A stunning Dani Alves strike and a deflected Bojan Krkic effort gave Barca victory against Getafe at the Nou Camp.

Alves opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a majestic volley from 22 yards and Bojan added a second early in the second period.

But the Catalans suffered a few nervy moments at the death after Manu del Moral's late strike gave Getafe brief hope.

Elsewhere, Real Zaragoza came back to earth with a bump as they lost to Real Mallorca and finished the match with 10 men.

Coach Javier Aguirre had warned his players not to get carried away in the wake of their 4-0 thumping of Valencia last weekend, but his warning went unheeded as they suffered a defeat that leaves them looking over their shoulders towards the relegation zone.

Jonathan De Guzman got the goal in the 65th minute, finding the net with a free-kick from the edge of the area that came as a result of Antonio Doblas handling outside the area, earning himself an early shower.

It was a deserved win for Mallorca, who dominated for most of the game and now look to be safe from the drop.

Real, Barcelona record wins

Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil scored as Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid to keep up the pressure on leaders Barcelona.

Benzema struck his 10th goal from his last eight appearances to put Madrid ahead early on and Mesut Ozil added a second before the break to leave Real, who have not lost to Atletico home or away since 1999, in control.

Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back for Atletico in the 86th minute to give the hosts hope but it was not enough to deny Jose Mourinho's men, who cut Barcelona's lead back to five points after the Catalan club had beaten Getafe 2-1 earlier in the evening.

Atletico, meanwhile, missed the chance to provisionally move level with sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao after seeing their five-match unbeaten run come to an end.

A stunning Dani Alves strike and a deflected Bojan Krkic effort gave Barca victory against Getafe at the Nou Camp.

Alves opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a majestic volley from 22 yards and Bojan added a second early in the second period.

But the Catalans suffered a few nervy moments at the death after Manu del Moral's late strike gave Getafe brief hope.

Elsewhere, Real Zaragoza came back to earth with a bump as they lost to Real Mallorca and finished the match with 10 men.

Coach Javier Aguirre had warned his players not to get carried away in the wake of their 4-0 thumping of Valencia last weekend, but his warning went unheeded as they suffered a defeat that leaves them looking over their shoulders towards the relegation zone.

Jonathan De Guzman got the goal in the 65th minute, finding the net with a free-kick from the edge of the area that came as a result of Antonio Doblas handling outside the area, earning himself an early shower.

It was a deserved win for Mallorca, who dominated for most of the game and now look to be safe from the drop.

Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid

Karim Benzema was again on the mark to help Real Madrid continue their long-standing domination of city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Benzema struck his 10th goal from his last eight appearances to put Madrid ahead early on and Mesut Ozil added a second before the break to leave Real, who have not lost to Atletico home or away since 1999, in control.

Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back for Atletico in the 86th minute to give the hosts hope but it was not enough to deny Jose Mourinho's men, who cut Barcelona's lead back to five points after the Catalan club had beaten Getafe earlier in the evening.

Atletico, meanwhile, missed the chance to provisionally move level with sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao after seeing their five-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Real have made a habit of scoring early goals in this fixture in recent years and they enjoyed another barnstorming start.

It took them just 46 seconds to create their first opening, Benzema slicing a shot wide, and then Cristiano Ronaldo and Sami Khedira drew saves out of David De Gea.

Lassana Diarra then inexplicably opted to cut the ball back with just De Gea to beat.

The home side's luck ran out 60 seconds after that though as Real took a deserved lead.

Khedira's sublime pass put Benzema through on the edge of the box and the flying Frenchman left De Gea with no chance as fired in his 21st goal of the season in all competitions.

At that stage it looked like being an uncomfortably long night for Atletico, but the Rojiblancos fought back well and for the next 15 minutes it was Iker Casillas who had all the worries.

The Spain captain was called on to tip over efforts from Jose Antonio Reyes - twice - and Diego Godin, while Aguero drew a diving save out of the World Cup winner.

Atletico could not make a breakthrough however, and they fell 2-0 behind in the 33rd minute when Ozil netted.

Ronaldo felt he should have been awarded a penalty but play continued and Marcelo picked up possession out wide, cut the ball back to Ozil on the edge of the box and the German found the roof of the net with a shot that De Gea got a hand to but could not keep out.

Aguero was booked soon after for diving in the area, and Ronaldo twice went close to adding a third for Real before the break as the visitors turned the screw.

It was looking bleak for Atletico at half-time, but they refused to go down without a fight and were well on top at the start of the second half.

Diego Forlan fired into the side-netting with an effort that had some home fans celebrating, before a Mario Suarez thunderbolt brought another save out of Casillas.

Aguero then had Atletico's clearest chance of the night up to that point when he was put through by Reyes in the 54th minute, but Casillas produced another superb save to deny the Argentina international.

As in the first half though, Atletico could find no way through and Real were increasingly looking dangerous on the counter-attack with Ozil and Ronaldo missing chances.

With time running out, Atletico finally managed to pull a goal back when Aguero fired a low shot past Casillas, but Quique Sanchez Flores' men could not find an equaliser as they slumped to their fourth competitive defeat to Real this season.

Mourinho hails weary Real players

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho heaped praise on his exhausted team after seeing them edge past local rivals Atletico Madrid.

First-half goals form the in-form Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil set Real on their way and, although Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back to Atletico with four minutes to go, it was too little too late to save the Rojiblancos from another derby disappointment.

The result means Real remain unbeaten against their neighbours since 1999 and have won all four meetings with Atletico this season, having also beaten them home and away in the Copa del Rey.

The victory also allowed Mourinho's side to keep within five points of Barcelona, who defeated Getafe earlier on Saturday.

It was not an easy night for Real at the Vicente Calderon though and, having had an emotionally draining Champions League clash against Lyon on Wednesday when the Whites finally made it through to the quarter-finals after six successive last-16 exits, Mourinho admitted fatigue had been a problem.

"They had a week to prepare for the duel and us, two days. The team was tired. I was also tired and I'm the coach," said the Portuguese, who has been highly critical of the scheduling of his side's matches recently.

"The second half was difficult. We couldn't hit them on the counter-attack.

"I changed Cristiano (Ronaldo) and Benzema, but Ozil had to stay on. We defended as well as possible and we achieved an important derby win."

Ronaldo was a fitness doubt ahead of the game having been sidelined with a hamstring injury before playing 70 minutes in the European triumph over Lyon.

Mourinho opted to start the Portugal international against Atletico before replacing him in the 72nd minute.

"I would like to have rested him, but I didn't want the championship to end today and Cristiano Ronaldo is very important to us. It was a risk to play him, but you need to live day to day," Mourinho said.

"Today he hurts and tomorrow the doctors will examine him. Then we'll see if he goes away with Portugal (on international duty). They are all tired, physically and mentally."

Mourinho also hailed the performance goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who made a string of impressive saves to keep Atletico at bay before finally being beaten by Aguero near the end.

"Casillas has done a fantastic job. I like it when my goalkeeper doesn't have much to do in a game, and he had a lot to do tonight and he was fantastic," said Mourinho.

"Atletico have shown their great spirit and quality of play, and Madrid had an answer to those who thought that the league finished today.

"I was very worried (about a late equaliser), but at the same time I was full of trust in the players' mentality and fighting spirit.

"I know football and many things happen in the last minutes and change the result. But they fought, they gave everything and I'm pleased for the players."

Mourinho was less impressed by the insults and abuse hurled at Ronaldo and Marcelo from the home fans though, saying: "This is a fantastic stadium to play football in with an atmosphere we would like to have at every ground, but the insults are not good or positive and they spoil a great ground.

"There needs to be respect for the players and their families."