Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 at the Mestalla. After the match, Jose Mourinho criticised the Spanish league calendar and called for the team not to be placed in similar conditions again.
A demanding away schedule
Real Madrid played three away matches against Santander, Athens and Valencia in seven days. The team was forced to fly back from Greece at three in the morning, and the players were forced to sleep at the Valdebebas training headquarters after returning from Athens.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid both played on Tuesday and would play their next matches on Sunday.
Mourinho on the fixture dates
Asked what message he was sending to La Liga president Javier Tebas, Mourinho said: “No, I don't have a message, I must stay humble, they hold all the power”.
He went on, objecting to the fixture dates: “All I ask is that they do not put us in such conditions again. To play on Sunday, then Wednesday, then Saturday. This makes no sense, it is something of a joke”.
His verdict on the crisis was blunt: “I ask you to leave us alone”.
The players receive the credit
Mourinho said: “All the credit goes to the players”. He added: “They are the ones who did it, and they are united”.
A recovery and a celebration
Kylian Mbappe rushed to cover the space left by Arda Guler after Guler had advanced from his position and the team lost possession.
Mourinho said: “That moment tells you everything about how united this team is”. Real Madrid's players celebrated the win with music.
