Jose Mourinho believes the outcome of Saturday’s Clasico could have been different had Real Madrid not wasted some glorious opportunities.
Karim Benzema fired them in front after Victor Valdes scuffed a clearance and the Barca defence were unable to clear their lines. Real had chances to double their lead during an end-to-end opening half-an-hour, with Cristiano Ronaldo uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal.
Mourinho insists his side equipped themselves well against the reigning Primera Liga and European champions, and believes the result could have different on another day.
“When it was 1-0, we could easily have gone 2-0 up and maybe under normal circumstances we would do, but Cristiano has put it wide,” he said. “We had no problems in midfield, we had problems in the last 10-15 minutes when the team was finding it hard to do it. Barcelona settled down and they had the space and time to control the game and to pass the ball.”
Mourinho also feels that the referee could have done Real a few favours, with Barca talisman Lionel Messi fortunate to avoid a red card.
“I thought Messi could have been sent off, but until I see it again I won’t say more in case I’m wrong,” he said.