Jose Mourinho reflected on how a number of Real Madrid’s players had a bad night in defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
The first leg of this Champions League semi-final finished 4-1 to the Germans thanks to four strikes from Robert Lewandowski.
Whilst Madrid’s Coach acknowledged their superiority, he also felt that his players did not stand up to the task.
“They were the better side by far. They won their individual battles. They were better organised than us, better physically and better mentally,” reflected Mourinho post-match.
“The game went from 1-1 to 4-1 in such a short space of time. We lost possession easily and couldn't cope with their transitions and speed on the break.
“We were ready and prepared for tonight, but many of the boys had a bad game and a bad night. At club level this is the second-most important game, after the final.
“Obviously I am very disappointed with how it's gone.
“I believe that every goal was down to an error. I do not know if the penalty was a penalty. And even the second goal could have been offside.
“The first goal is a fumble, the second something similar. And if you do not get the ball in the first phase, it is difficult. We agree that the best team won.
“We can [turn it around] – it's very difficult but we can do it. In football anything is possible.
“On a crazy night when everyone performs at a high level, when every chance is a goal, we can turn it around.
“And before the game we will be ready to go for everything. You cannot go out of a competition without dying in the field.”
Mourinho reflected that by next week, the team will be motivated for the comeback.
“I have been at Real Madrid for three years and I've met important people that from the club’s history and they have explained many things to me.
“One of those is that metaphorical feeling at home matches that make what seems impossible at times to not be. In football nothing is impossible, there is hope.
“In the group, if you ask them right now, everyone will say it is not possible, but within half an hour some will already start to say that it is.
“On Tuesday, everyone will be ready to go out to give everything and to try everything, in football anything is possible.
“If we get knocked-out by Borussia on Tuesday then so be it, but they will have had to suffer and Real Madrid’s players will end the match with nothing left to give.”
Lewandowski scored three goals inside the penalty area and then a penalty to settle the tie heavily in the home side’s favour.
“We know everything about them and everything about Lewandowski, but we lost him for three of his goals, which is not good enough. When you lose and you deserve to, it is not so hard to take.
“For three of the goals we lost possession too easily and didn't mark properly.
“We know about Lewandowski's movement and he deserves great credit for his performance, but we didn't make it as difficult for him as I would like.”
Sergio Ramos commented straight after the game that Madrid’s players lacked attitude.
“He is a great guy, very emotional and very disappointed. When you talk about this a minute after the final whistle everything is difficult to take in.
“Speaking of attitude is hard, because everyone want to do better. I prefer to say that the players were not able.
“What did I tell the players at half-time? I said that the result was bad and that I wanted to lose by four goals…”
