Football: Mourinho commends ‘well-prepared’ Mallorca

Acknowledges La Liga opponents as Real win 2-1.

MADRID: Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho commended Mallorca’s fighting effort in their clash as the La Liga leaders came from a goal down to grab a late winner through Jose Callejon and consolidate their lead at the top after a 2-1 win.

Tomer Hemed put Mallorca in front in the first-half before substitute Gonzalo Higuain gave Madrid hope with a 71st-minute equaliser. Callejon then struck the winner in the 82nd minute. Mourinho acknowledged Mallorca’s fine display and admitted his team had been given a tough time.

“They defended well with no errors and knew how we would attack them,” said Mourinho. “We had to take risks in the second half to win.”

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid trounced Villareal 3-0, while Rayo Vallecano defeated Granada 2-1 and Real Sociedad beat Valencia 1-0.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2012.