Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho talked to the media the day before the first league match against Zaragoza.

"The first league match is always complicated and special. There are often surprises at the start of championships and things are even more difficult when you play away from home. There are sides who benefitted from playing European matches during the strike that's just ended. This is what I believe and I've told my players so in order for them to concentrate."

"Zaragoza are a difficult team to face. Their coach is one of my favourites, both personally and professionally. They defend well and pull off fast counterattacks. I like their stadium because it has a great atmosphere."

"We will play three away games and one at home at the start of the league. It will be difficult for us because we'll face complicated opponents who are strong at their stadiums. I think the draw of the championship has suffered a radical change, but we'll have to play 38 games and they'll be equally decisive. That's how we should regard them."

"I feel my team is playing better than it did at this stage last year. This is important in its evolution. We'll see what results we end because they depend on many factors. We'll have to go slowly. We played ten games in the preseason. We did very well in eight of them, the match in Philadelphia was so-so, and our performance against Galatasaray was bad. I think we played much better this preseason than we did in last year's. I'm sure we'll be a better team this year."

"Coentrao will play with Alonso in midfield. He can play in practically any position. I prefer him down the wings, but he'll have to play in midfield for the time being because we have no one else. His way of thinking is good for the club. Ozil will also be a starter, but that's nothing new. Kaka is one of my men and he's been working well since day one. He hasn't missed a single training session. He's played few official games, but he played a lot in our other matches this summer. He is a good option for me to have. He will be on the bench tomorrow. I'm happy to have a player like him by my side."

"Sahin is suffering from a new injury. It isn't a relapse. He's not ready to play. I don't want to be more specific, that's up to the medical staff, but I nevertheless didn't expect him to be ready for this game."

"We must respect the contracts of the players we don't count on. Lass decided not to be part of the team. On the other hand, it was the coach's decision not to count on Gago, Drenthe and Pedro Leon. If Lass doesn't reach a solution he'll have to rejoin the team and will be an option for me because I never wanted him to leave. The rest don't enter my plans, but it wouldn't be a problem for me to have them around."