Mourinho: The players were fantastic

Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2011 by ESPN

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho hailed his side's entertaining display after handing Dinamo Zagreb a 6-2 defeat despite having already qualified for the next round.

With the likes of Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench throughout, Real Madrid could be forgiven if they fail to come away with a convincing result against Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night.

However, a dominant display saw them go 3-0 up within nine minutes and go on to claim a six-goal lead before two late goals from Zagreb finished the one-sided affair.

Mourinho was full of praise for his side, who were easily the superior side in the fixture.

He told uefa.com: "The players were fantastic, entertained people and had fun themselves. It was a perfect night on which some players have been able to relax and others enjoy themselves.

"To come here having already qualified meant we were able to give minutes to people who deserve it and have worked for it."

However, he lamented the fact that his side conceded two late goals to give away their impressive record of not having conceded any goals so far in the Champions League this season.

Mourinho continued: "I don't understand the two goals we conceded in the final minutes. They may have been because of the fatigue of those who are not playing much or the pride of Dinamo Zagreb.

"Sometimes you have to concede goals and it is much better if you concede when you have scored six and not in knockout rounds.

"I'm sorry for Antonio Adán, who conceded two goals in a game where he has done nothing wrong."

Real Madrid will turn their attention to the La Liga fixture this weekend, where they will face Atletico Madrid in a Madrid derby.