Mourinho: Everything's open

Jose Mourinho expects Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League tie with Manchester United to go to 'the last minute' following a thrilling 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Last Updated: 14/02/13 at 09:38 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Champions League Winner 12/13 Win Outright: Real Madrid 8/1

In a pulsating game in the Santiago Bernabeu, Danny Welbeck headed United in front before former Red Devils star Cristiano Ronaldo pulled Real level.

Both teams had chances to win it in the second half and, ahead of the return meeting at Old Trafford in three weeks' time, Mourinho believes it is 50/50 regarding which team will progress to the quarter-finals.

"It was not a surprise the match or the result," Mourinho told Sky Sports 2. "I think it was basically what I was waiting for which was everything open, very open for the second leg. I think this will go to the last minute.

"If you ask me the percentage, I don't change one single number, it's 50/50. We can score more than one goal there."

When asked if it was a tactical game, the Real coach replied: "For them, not for us. Tactically they changed their way of playing. I think Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans didn't put one foot in our half.

"I think they were waiting for a set-piece or a counter attack to score a second goal. We were the team that was chasing the game and they defended well. The result is open.

"They had two big chances in the second half but the chances were out of context because we were chasing the game.

"They were just defending and waiting for a situation. But this is the Champions League, two matches home and away. They did their match and they did it well."

Real's season has been beset by reports of player unrest, but Mourinho was pleased with the response of his team after falling behind to Welbeck's goal after 20 minutes.

He continued: "I think they gave everything. Of course, it was a difficult game because we started strong and had a real big chance when Fabio (Coentrao) hit the post.

"The first time they go in our half, they score a goal out of nothing and psychologically to be losing 1-0 is not an easy situation.

"After that, in the second half they tried everything. It's time to go to Old Trafford. I think 1-1 is not a bad result because everything is open and we can score more than one goal there."

To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

O

ne of the biggest miss next season would be Mancini's substitutions.. Maybe only Platt understood whats happening...

metal
Profile365's Alternative End Of Season Awards

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

New Toffees deal for Osman

Everton midfielder Leon Osman has expressed his delight after signing a contract extension which will keep him at Goodison Park until 2015.

Transfer news: Manchester City dismiss talk of Sergio Aguero leaving

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has insisted they have no intention of allowing Sergio Aguero to leave.

Marouane Fellaini tells Manchester United David Moyes will not give them easy ride

Marouane Fellaini has warned Manchester United's players they will not get an easy ride under new boss David Moyes.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved