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Real Madrid eliminated because of Barcelona clash, coach claims
Mourinho says Chelsea deserve the title, La Liga clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid is the reason for eliminating the Spanish giants from the semis of the Champions League
Mahmoud Elassal Published in Ahram Online on 26 - 04 - 2012

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho revealed that he is proud of his team players despite losing a place in the final of the Champions League after the 3-1 defeat on penalties to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
"I think it's difficult for any team to reach the semifinals two straight campaigns and it's also difficult for a coach to reach them six times in eight years," Mourinho was quoted as saying on the club's official site.
"We deserved to win because both games were tight. It is more difficult to play this match when you're still in the fight to win the league title than when you're not," he added.
The 49-year-old tactician claimed also that the reason of his side elimination from the Champions League is playing the Spain La Liga clasico against Barcelona three days before losing to Bayern in the semis of the championship.
"I remember the semifinals I lost with Chelsea against Liverpool. They faced Fulham in the previous clash with their reserve players, while we used our main men in our weekend clash and ended up suffering from that."
"It's our fault because we would have used different players in our previous game if we weren't fighting to win the league title."
"The final will be disputed between the fifth team in the Premier League and the runners-up in the Bundesliga, and both used their reserve players this weekend, while Real Madrid and Barcelona faced each other in the most important match of the season in the Spanish league." Mourinho said.
Real Madrid and Bayern locked at 3-3 on aggregate after Real's 2-1 win after extra time, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was the hero for the Bundesliga side when he saved Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka's spot kicks in a dramatic shootout.
"My men gave a fantastic performance. It is difficult to overcome a 2-1 result. They knew they couldn't make any mistakes and felt great pressure. They were also exhausted in the penalty shootout. They do their best for the team. I am incredibly proud of my men." Mourinho added.
Mourinho expects Chelsea to win the Champions League title due to their performance in the game against Barcelona on Tuesday.
"The final will be a good match and I would like Chelsea to win, but I have great respect for Bayern Munchen. Chelsea were heroic yesterday. Chelsea deserve it and Bayern are there too."
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