Mourinho wary of February rivals

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho feels his side have a more difficult fixture list in February than rivals Barcelona.

The Santiago Bernabeu outfit currently top La Liga, as Mourinho looks to lead Real to their first title since the 2007/08 season.

However, the ex-Inter and Chelsea coach is not expecting any easy games over the next three weeks.

“February is perhaps more complicated for us than for Barcelona,” he told reporters.

“We play against Levante, who are fourth in the standings, Racing (Santander), who are in recovery, Rayo Vallecano, who are surely one of the revelations of the tournament, and Espanyol, who are fighting to get into Europe.”

“We have a number of difficult games in February that mean it is unlikely that any team has a more complicated series (of fixtures).”

The capital-city side host Levante on Sunday and Mourinho is expecting a hard-fought contest, especially given Juan Ignacio Martinez’s team are the only team to have beaten Real in the league this season aside from Barca.

“Levante should be applauded, but not just for winning that game, but by being where they are (in the table) in February,” Mourinho added.

“Not in October or November, when everyone thought they would slip down the table. They have an impressive group of players, coaches and club.”