Real Madrid face tough fixtures ahead, expected to slip-up
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho admitted that his side will be facing a tough test in January as the race for the title speeds up. He also went on to say how arch rivals Barcelona expected his side to slip-up during this time, especially with the injuries
suffered by his key players. The injuries so far have not affected the Spanish giants but most likely will, when Mourinho is not able to select the players he wants for important fixtures.
Madrid are currently two points behind league leaders Barcelona and are preparing to take on Villarreal over the weekend. The fixture against third place Villarreal at the Bernabeu, followed by a clash against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Kings
Cup quarter final in midweek, could be very hectic for Madrid. A slip-up during this time could not only be damaging to the team’s morale but they will also lose valuable points. Mourinho said in an interview, “It's normal that Barcelona think that January
could be a bad month for us when they look at our fixture list. We have two derby matches (against Atletico Madrid in the quarter-final of the Kings Cup) and league matches against Villarreal and an improving Almeria side. If we get through we will have Villarreal
or Sevilla. However, we have to be positive and take it one match at a time and look to win all the matches.”
After a disappointing 5-0 defeat to Barcelona, Madrid have returned to their winning ways. Real Madrid have secured four consecutive wins in the La Liga since then and the Portuguese coach realizes that his side cannot afford to lose anymore precious points.
A single bad result could very well mean Mouirnho’s side ruling themselves out of the title race, assuming Barcelona maintain their current form. Real Madrid’s coach admitted that the La Liga was different than the other leagues, having coached in both the
English Premier League and the Serie A previously. He stated, “It is a league where teams don't drop many points. Barcelona have dropped five and we have dropped seven. That doesn't happen in other leagues but it does here. However, the team with the most
points, whether it is 100, 80 or 70, wins the league just like in other championships.”
The most recent player to pick up an injury is http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670, the Portuguese centre back. He apparently injured his calf in training and is expected to be out for over a month. Pepe’s injury comes after that of striker Gonzalo Higuain, leaving the coach without his
two best players. However, Brazilian playmaker Kaka has returned after a six month recovery from a knee injury and Mourinho confirmed he would make an appearance against Villarreal on Sunday.
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