Pepe, Carvalho are friends – Mourinho

Posted Monday, November 14, 2011 by citizen.co.za

Pepe, Carvalho are friends – Mourinho
Madrid. The Portuguese tactician says the two defenders have an 'excellent relationship', following the former Chelsea defender's decision to quit the national side

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has stressed that there's no problem between Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe as the former's decision to retire from international football had nothing to do with his team-mate.

The 33-year-old Carvalho abandoned Portugal's training camp ahead of the 4-0 Euro 2012 qualification win over Cyprus after a bust-up with national team coach Paulo Bento.

Reports from Portugal suggested that Pepe's attitude on the training pitch also played a role in Carvalho's decision to say farewell to the national team, but Mourinho has now dismissed that speculation.

"The relationship between Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe is excellent. It's always been like that and nothing has changed," Mourinho was quoted as saying by Lusa.
"This situation has nothing to do with Real Madrid. What happens with Portugal's national team is none of our business."

Real Madrid are currently preparing for the Primera Division match at home against Getafe on tomorrow Meanwhile, Getafe president Angel Torres has expressed his opinion that Barcelona's award-winning "tiqui-taca" brand of football is beginning to lose its momentum, despite admitting that the European champions have wholly outperformed Real Madrid in recent seasons.