"We're prepared to play a difficult game; the match in Seville will be the last league encounter of 2011 and a perfect example of how complicated our calendar is"
Jose Mourinho talked to the press the day before facing Sevilla at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
"We're prepared to play a difficult game. We've had a tough calendar in the last few months. No other team has played as many games as us, and against such strong opponents too. We'll face one of the toughest teams in La Liga at a difficult venue."
"We finished last season two points behind the leaders and this year we can have a three or one-point cushion over the runners-up, or even the same number of points, practically by the middle of the championship. Any of these three scenarios is better than last year's, and it motivates us for the remainder of the season because we don't have to recover points."
"In football it's better to do an analysis at the end of a season rather than at the end of a year. Russia is the only country in which the football season runs the same course as the actual year. I think we've had a good run. I'd say our grade should be close to a 10 because we're currently co-leaders in La Liga, we've won all our Champions League games and we've also won the only Copa del Rey encounter we've played so far. We have to try to become sole leaders on the league table tomorrow."
"Arbeloa made the squad list against Barcelona because he was ready to play 15, 20 or 25 minutes if the team needed him. I'd rather have a player on the bench who can do a lot for me in little time than one who can't. Di Maria is ready to play. He was suspended on Tuesday and returned yesterday to train with a fitness trainer. He's rested as much as possible and has time to train and rest some more today."
"I will only talk about the Champions League in February in the pre-match press conference. The draw took place today and we'll have time enough to think about our match with CSKA Moscow. They've made it to this round because they took enough points in the previous rounds. The match is still two months away."
"It's normal to hear names because the winter transfer window is opening and some people are interested in buying and selling players. Our intention is still to finish the season with this squad."
"Throughout my career serious injuries have always made me sad regardless of who suffers them and the team they play for. It's the same with Villa: I'm very sorry for his injury."
( source: realmadrid )
