Mourinho proud of Real´s effort

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho hailed his team’s display following their emphatic 6-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League Group D.

Hosts Real ran out comfortable winners in the match at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, courtesy of two goals apiece from Karim Benzema and Jose Callejon, together with individual strikes from Mesut Oezil and Gonzalo Higuain.

The La Liga leaders could afford to keep first-choice players Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Sami Khedira on the bench, with Mourinho delighted that a much-changed team was able to turn on such a convincing display.

“This was a perfect night, because my players were fantastic and they entertained the fans,” Mourinho said.

“Moreover, we were able to rest some players and give playing time to others who deserved it a lot because they work for it.”

Mourinho rejected suggestions complacency from his players allowed Dinamo Zagreb to score twice late in the match, the first time Real have conceded in five Champions League matches this season.

“We would have to suffer goals at some point,” Mourinho said.

“It is better to suffer them when there is no risk.”

“Those goals came because of the pride that Dinamo showed. My players had a fantastic attitude.”

The Portuguese coach offered his support to Barcelona assistant Tito Vilanova, who underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a tumour found on his parotid gland.

“Last year, we showed concern for (Eric) Abidal, obviously we do it the same way with Tito Vilanova,” Mourinho said.

“We hope he will soon return to his family and to Barcelona, and that on December 10 he will be here (at the Santiago Bernabeu), on the bench, in full health.”

Mourinho received a two-match touchline ban from the Spanish Football Federation for poking Vilanova in the eye during a scuffle following Real’s Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona at August.

Vilanova’s illness comes after Barca fullback Eric Abidal had an operation to remove a liver tumour in March, recovering in time to help his side defeat Real in the Champions League semi-final second leg on May 3.