Mourinho slams Real Madrid players after Betis defeat

Madrid: An angry Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho spared hardly anyone from his criticism following his side's 0-1 defeat to Betis.

A 17th minute goal from Benat Extaberria was the difference between the two sides and although Madrid pressed hard in the second half, they failed to score. Although they could have perhaps had a penalty in the last action of the game Saturday night when the ball appeared to strike Betis substitute Nosa on the mixture of arm and chest, reports Xinhua.

Mourinho complained about that decision and a goal ruled out for Karim Benzema for a possible offside but his ire was also directed at his players and those who organise the league fixtures.

"It's obvious that playing on Wednesday night (in Champions League) we should not have done so today. Other people control the calendar, but I am the one who then has to talk about it," he said. "I am the bad man in that respect," he commented, before turning his attention to the team.

"We are talking about top level players, when they are tired it is normal for them to find other qualities, such as mental strength and a willingness to make sacrifices. When I saw (Radek) Stepanek who is 34-years-old, play three games in three days in the final of the David Cup (tennis), I could see he would die to win for his country and I thought men who are 23, 24 or 26 can play two games on Wednesday and Saturday. Your heart counts in sport, not just your legs and when you have a will to do something, you pick yourself up," he said.

Should Barcelona and Atletico Madrid win their matches this Sunday, Real Madrid will be 11 points behind the Catalans and eight behind their neighbours, who they play next Saturday, in the race for the title.

"Very possibly we will get to the end of the season at 11, 13, 9 points. It is still open, but we are neither too optimistic nor too pessimistic. When we win, we all win, but when we lose, the coach loses, for that reason, it is my fault," said Mourinho.