La Liga

Mourinho Complains About Schedule

Jose Mourinho hit out at Spain’s football authorities after the 0-0 draw at Deportivo Coruna, saying his Real Madrid players had not been given enough rest after Tuesday’s Champions League match.

The dropped points at Depor’s Riazor stadium enabled Barcelona to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points with 25 games played after the champions won 3-0 at Real Mallorca in Saturday’s earlier kick-off.

Mourinho, whose side drew 1-1 in their Champions League last-16, first leg at Lyon on Tuesday, said it would have been easier on Real if they had been allowed to play Depor on Sunday.

“I don’t know what would have happened if we had played on Sunday but it would have been fairer,” the Portuguese said. “We could have given an extra day off to those who were most tired, we could have trained an extra day,” he added. “The calendar is set by people who know what they are doing. They do what they want and they will carry on like that.”

Real, who twice struck a post late on, face a stiff task to catch Barcelona and end their great rivals’ two-year reign as Spanish champions.