Mourinho after Real Madrid’s first defeat: I don’t understand it

José Mourinho said he could not understand how Real Madrid lost to Real Betis after creating chance after chance. The 1-0 defeat marked his first since returning to the club as head coach this summer.

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The team played a fantastic game. Sometimes you lose without being able to explain how.

Real Madrid dominated for long periods but failed to score. Kylian Mbappé missed a penalty in stoppage time, and substitute Carlos Espí later had a goal ruled out for offside.

“Honestly, I don't know why we lost,” Mourinho said. “We created plenty of chances, missed three or four of them, and their goalkeeper also made three or four extraordinary saves.”

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We were really dominant, created a lot going forward and had plenty of chances. If the match had ended in a draw, we would have been frustrated, so imagine how we feel after a defeat.

Mourinho said he had nothing to criticize in his players’ performance. “The team played a fantastic game,” he said. “Sometimes you lose without being able to explain how.” He added that Madrid were dominant and created plenty going forward, but said deserving to win does not bring any points.

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Honestly, I don't know why we lost. We created plenty of chances, missed three or four of them, and their goalkeeper also made three or four extraordinary saves.

The result leaves Barcelona with a chance to move three points ahead at the top of La Liga if it wins away to Valencia on Sunday. Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning the Spanish league, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

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I have nothing to reproach my players for. We probably deserved to win, but deserving to win does not give you any points.