Iker Casillas praises Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho after Spanish Cup victory over Barcelona - La Liga news
Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has called manager Jose Mourinho a ‘Phenomenon’ as the Portuguese guided Los Blancos to win the Copa del Rey final against bitter rivals Barcelona, on Wednesday, April 20.
The Santiago Bernabeu team have won the Spanish Cup after 17 years and Casillas has revealed that Mourinho has played an important role in turning the club's fortunes.
He said, “Our mentality has been changed. Mou [Jose Mourinho] is a phenomenon. Today, we have won a trophy that's coveted by all Madrid fans. We thank them for their support and we can repay them now that we have finally won a trophy. I am very happy."
Real Madrid and Barcelona were unable to break the deadlock in regulation time at the Mestalla stadium, but a Cristinao Ronaldo header in the first half of extra time proved to be decisive as Los Blancos grabbed their first trophy since 2008.
Mourinho has had enormous success in his football managerial career, the self proclaimed ‘Special one’ has guided the likes of FC Porto and Inter Milan to domestic and European titles.
After taking Los Merengues to the Spanish Cup glory, the Portuguese will be eyeing more silverware AS Real Madrid face Barcelona again in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Furthermore, Mourinho’s men still have an outside chance of winning the Spanish
La Liga as they are placed second in the table.
Casillas has urged his side to now focus on the remaining competitions as the season draws to an end.
The club captain added, “Now we have a Champions League semi-final to look forward to, We know that the league is complicated but we must always fight for everything.”
Real Madrid will lock horns against Valencia in their next La Liga fixture before hosting the Catalan club in the first of the two-legged Champions League semi-final on 27 April, 2011.
If Los Blancos are able to over come Barcelona in the semi-final, they will face Manchester United or Schalke 04 in the final at Wembley. Casillas certainly hopes his side can repeat their heroics of 2002, when Real Madrid won the Champions League by beating
Bayern Leverkusen in the final.