Mourinho Says Real Madrid Played a Great Match Despite Betis Defeat

José Mourinho said Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Real Betis was difficult to explain because his team controlled much of the match and created numerous chances.

“I think the team played a great match,” Mourinho said at a news conference. He described Real Madrid as “very dominant,” praised the central defenders, and said they had controlled everything while the team produced a great deal of attacking play.

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I think the team played a great match. Sometimes you lose and you do not know why; sometimes you lose and you do not know how to explain it.

The Portuguese coach said a draw would also have left Real Madrid frustrated because of its performance. The defeat, he said, made that feeling even stronger.

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Very dominant, imperial center-backs, they controlled absolutely everything, a great deal of attacking play, and so many chances.

Mourinho nevertheless praised Carlos Espí, whose goal gave Betis the victory. He noted that the goal may have followed an offside, but said Espí had done his job well and described the young player as talented, humble, hardworking and eager to learn.

Asked about the match’s disputed decisions, Mourinho declined to give an assessment. He said he had not reviewed the incidents in detail, including in the dressing room, and therefore could not comment.

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Carlos Espí, if he has 10 minutes and scores a fantastic goal, which may or may not be offside, he has done his job well.