Second place ok with Mourinho

Jose Mourinho insists that second place in La Liga will be good enough for Real Madrid, but only if the team refuse to give up.

Mourinho’s side won 4-1 at home to Real Sociedad on Sunday but are already seven points adrift of league leaders Barcelona.

With the defending champion in ominous form, Mourinho could be set to lead a team to second place for the first time since 2007 and only the second time in eight full seasons as a manager.

“I’m here to try to win the title, but nothing will be the matter if I end up in second place,” Mourinho said.

“What’s important to me is that we don’t give away the championship. If we do our job well and finish second we will be able to hold our heads high at the start of the holidays. Mathematics still say it is possible for us to win.”

The Santiago Bernabeu breathed a collective sigh of relief when star man Cristiano Ronaldo broke his four-game scoring drought with a brace in the win over Sociedad.

But with 24 league goals to his name already this season, Mourinho insists the Portugal captain has far exceeded expectations.

“Ronaldo’s run in La Liga will be fantastic even if he doesn’t score another goal in the remainder of the season,” he said.

“He always plays to the limit of his capabilities and ambitions. He gives his all for this team. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t score.”

Mourinho also praised his new strike force of Manchester City loanee Emmanuel Adebayor and France international Karim Benzema.

“Adebayor played very well and proved why he’s here. We have two strikers in optimum form right now who have different characteristics. Karim played 85 minutes against Sevilla and will most surely face Brazil with France next week. That’s why I played Adebayor. We are happy with both players. This situation is perfect,” he said.

But the highest marks were reserved for German Mesut Oezil, who filled in for Argentina’s Angel di Maria with great success.

“Oezil has a lot of responsibility with us and with Germany, who are an important national team. He responds well to this,” Mourinho said.

“He played in Di Maria’s position today and the way he covered open spaces made it look like it was his natural position. He will be a fantastic player for Real Madrid for ten years. He has won us all over, fans and team alike.”