Tuesday, October 26, 2010

We aren't the Real thing yet, Mourinho says after win

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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his fourth goal against Racing de Santander during their Spanish league match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday in Madrid. Real Madrid won 6-1 to stay in first place.

Madrid boss tries to rein in expectations after Racing rout

MADRID - Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho told the players and fans to tone down the euphoria after Saturday's 6-1 destruction of Racing Santander.

Real has now scored 16 goals in three La Liga outings, climbing above Barcelona to the top of the table and looking increasingly capable of ending its arch-rival's two-year grip on the title.

Mourinho's in-form Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo hit four goals against Racing at the Bernabeu, taking his tally to eight in three league games and nine for the season.

"We have been playing very well for several games now, working and pressing like a team," Mourinho told a news conference.

"People can find themselves in a state of euphoria, but we need to be very calm. Great coaches and great players cannot allow themselves to be euphoric with little to show for it."

Unbeaten Real has 20 points from eight matches, one ahead of Barcelona, which won 2-0 at Real Zaragoza earlier on Saturday thanks to a double from Lionel Messi, his second in a row after Wednesday's two Champions League goals against FC Copenhagen.

The flamboyant Mourinho has repeatedly stressed his new team is under construction following his close-season move to the Spanish capital from Inter Milan.

He acknowledged on Saturday that Real's demanding fans were enjoying the recent devastating run but sounded another note of caution.

"We are growing little by little," he said. "The team is in a very positive moment and we have to carry on without much time to rest or enjoy it.

"Of course I like it (when we win), but we shouldn't think this is going to happen in every match."

"There will be narrow victories, draws and defeats. We want more important results than this," added Mourinho.


(Reuters)

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