Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho: I Feel No Champions League Pressure

Mourinho is looking forward to European action with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has claimed that he feels no pressure whatsoever ahead of their encounter with Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League Round of 16.

Speaking to RealmadridTV, the Portuguese explained, "I love knockout stages. Love them. I think they are designed for people who are mentally strong because the pressure is there all the time.

"Details make all the difference: having to score one more goal, or to concede one less… A small mistake can make all the difference.

"This sort of pressure is something I feel comfortable with. I don’t feel pressure because the Champions League is arriving, but rather an appetite to play it."

Madrid have reached the final of the Copa del Rey in Mourinho's first season at the Bernabeu. When asked about the secret to his Cup success, the former Chelsea and Inter tactician said it's all about mental fortitude.

"As I said, you need to be mentally strong in knockout ties and, at the same time, you need to analyse your opponents very well because small details can make a real difference.

"I’m used to playing first legs to win. It doesn’t matter if you’re home or away. The first match is one you must try to win. You don’t sometimes, but that’s the direction you must take.

"You shouldn’t wait for the second match to resolve the situation. 'Is the first match at home? OK then, let’s try to win. Is it away? OK, let’s try to win that too'. I think that’s a good approach."

Mourinho added, "You know, I give my best. And when I give my best because I trust my work, I believe results will arrive. That’s what I want. I don’t want to be able to just say I coached Real Madrid once.

"I want to be able to say I coached Real Madrid and, during my period with the team, we won this and that. That’s my objective."