Madrid looking the real deal under Mourinho

Portuguese pair Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo are weaving their magic for Real Madrid with the Spanish giants crushing their opponents at home and abroad, topping the Spanish league table and their Champions League group.

Real routed Racing Santander 6-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday to reclaim top spot from Barcelona with Ronaldo scoring a best ever quadruple to make it eight goals in his last three league outings.

“I am really happy because I have never scored four goals before,” said Ronaldo. “However, the most important thing is the team and it wouldn’t have been possible to score without the help of my team-mates. I must congratulate the team.

“Some of my team-mates were better than me but like the coach says there is no reason to be euphoric. There is a long way to go in the league atlhough being top is important.”

Ronaldo, 25, had problems at the beginning of the season as the goals were not forthcoming and was even jeered by the Bernabeu crowd after hitting out at the Real fans for not getting behind the team.

Since then Ronaldo has picked up his game and Real have scored 16 goals – with Ronaldo accounting for eight of them – in their last three league matches to go top of the league and also sit at the summit of their Champions League group after defeating AC Milan 2-0 on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho’s side are unbeaten in all competitions and have the best defence and attack in the Spanish top-flight and he is clearly highly-regarded by the players.

“(Jose) Mourinho is fantastic. Thank God he came,” said Ronaldo. “It is always great to work alongside someone with his experience and who has won so many titles throughout his career.

“I always said I would love to be coached by him, and my team-mates are just as happy.”

Mourinho has had a huge impact at Madrid since joining from Inter Milan in the summer and the fans were singing his name following the Racing rout.

“We are a team that, with time, can become a great team and win titles,” said Mourinho. “We are far from being perfect and haven’t won anything and we are a long way from winning something.

“We have only had a short time together but this is a project for four years.”

Everything is going well for Real, however, the club have tough games ahead and Mourinho doesn’t want his troops to take their foot off the pedal.

“The team is on a high at the moment and we have to continue, there is no time to enjoy it,” said the former Chelsea manager. “When people are happy they forget fatigue and problems and continue with a positive aura.”

Real Madrid’s next task is a Kings Cup last 16 first leg match at Murcia on Tuesday.

Real have not won the Kings Cup since 1993, but Mourinho is expected to rest several key stars with big games on the horizon.