Mourinho Hails ‘Superior’ Real Madrid, Blames Referee After Super Cup Loss

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has hailed “superior” Real Madrid after his side’s 2-1 loss in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday night.

The UEFA Super Cup is an annual meeting of the Champions League and Europa League winners. This year’s edition featured Real Madrid, Champions League winner and Manchester United, who claimed the Europa League last May.

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Real Madrid were the better side overall after outclassing their opponent’s to wrap up back-to-back Super Cups.

Well-taken goals by Casemiro and Isco put the Spanish champions two-up and they hit the woodwork twice, as well as being denied by David De Gea on a couple of occasions.

Romelu Lukaku pulled one back for the Europa League winners to spark a spirited United fightback that kept them in with a chance right to the end.

Mourinho was however not impressed with the Referee’s decision to allow Real Madrid’s opening goal, with the Portuguese arguing Casemiro was offside.

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“There was a goal that was offside,” he said. “If not, we would be talking about 0-0 at half-time and a different game.

“But the domination is the consequence of quality of a team that is superior, that has great quality players in midfield that control the game, that hold the ball, that keep possession.

“They touch the ball well, they pass it very well. It is a consequence of that.”

The 54-year-old saw positives instead of problems ahead of ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against West Ham.
“I am happy with the performance or many things of the performance,” he said. “We don’t have in the Premier League Real Madrid. In spite we have top teams in the Premier League, but they are different teams – teams with different qualities.

“The midfield players of Real Madrid there are only one, there are no replicas.

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“No replicas of (Luka) Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco, no replicas of Casimero, so they are really solid and the way they move the ball makes it difficult for the opponents.

In the second half we found a way to create them difficulties and to give them the kind of football they don’t like and don’t dominate.

“I am really happy with our reaction because at 2-0, the next minute we have a double big chance with just Navas in front.

“And after the 2-1, we had Marcus Rashford face-to-face with the keeper and we had a fight until the last seconds and to do that I think is great because I always say that the Champions League is one thing and the Europa League is another thing.

“The Champions League winner obviously has a different potential than the Europa League winner, so for us to come here and to do the positive things we did, I think we have to go with a good feeling and we have to start the Premier League on Sunday with a positive feeling and great experience.

“And going to the Champions League in September, who knows? If we get Real Madrid again, if we don’t we could get another of the top teams in Europe – one of the champions of the best leagues – and I think this Super Cup was a really good experience for us.”

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