Jose Mourinho hails Real Madrid duo for roles in derby win
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has praised Ricardo Carvalho and Sami Khedira for their roles in the 2-0 La Liga win over city rivals Atletico Madrid.
The sides met at the Bernabeu on Sunday, 7 November, in the first derby clash of the season.
Former Chelsea defender Carvalho put the home side ahead after just 13 minutes of play when he sauntered forward to slot the ball home past Atletico keeper David de Gea.
While a free-kick scored by Mesut Oezil six minutes later all but wrapped up the points for Madrid, Portugal international Carvalho had to perform at a high level to thwart Atletico’s bid to crawl back into the game.
Meanwhile, 2010 FIFA World Cup star Sami Khedira enhanced his reputation as one of the sport’s finest young defensive midfielders, putting in a strong showing alongside Xabi Alonso in the middle of the pitch.
Mourinho took the time to hail both Carvalho and Khedira for their efforts in maintaining Madrid’s unbeaten start to the season.
He told reporters, "Carvalho and Khedira don’t usually get much of the spotlight, but they were the two best players. The defensive players will always get their goals, maybe three or four per year, and they can score via set-pieces or on counter attacks.
Carvalho used his instincts, and he does it every so often. He is very hard to stop."
Mourinho also had praise for his strikers Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema. He added, "I liked the way both Higuain and Benzema played, too. Higuain came close to scoring a spectacular volley and Benzema did what we asked of him. He kept possession of the
ball and helped control the match. He will have a chance to start against Murcia in midweek, and we are very fond of him."
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