Champions League: We’ve won back our DNA: Mourinho

Real’s manager appears more confident after last-gasp win over City.

MADRID:

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a last-minute winner as Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-2 in a thrilling Champions League clash that saw all the goals come in a nerve-wracking final 22 minutes.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was belligerent as he performed an enthusiastic celebration on Ronaldo’s winner especially after recent press criticism of his team.

“I thought about all the match reports that the journalists would have to delete after the result,” said Mourinho. “We were lacking in confidence and in the circumstances it was difficult to play any better than we did. We have won back our DNA, we’ve got three points, our last game in this phase is at home and we have a good chance of qualifying from a difficult group.”

City coach Roberto Mancini was pragmatic about the defeat.

“It is difficult to take, not the way we lost but because we went 2-1 up,” said Mancini. “I don’t want to continue to defend like how we did in the last four minutes.”

Arsenal relieved over difficult win

Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1 in an end-to-end game at Champions League debutants Montpellier, as Arsene Wenger’s side made a winning start to their Group B campaign.

Remy Cabella hit the bar for Montpellier, who gave Arsenal several uneasy moments, and despite the result, the hosts’ display belied a difficult start to their Ligue 1 title defence that has seen them beaten three times already.

“We were a bit timid in the first half, but in the second half we were exemplary in terms of our desire and engagement, and we created a few opportunities as well,” said Montpellier coach Rene Girard. “But at this level, in the Champions League and against opposition of this quality, you don’t get second chances.”

PSG showcase skilled performance

Paris Saint German Coach Carlos Ancelotti who has two wins to his credit as coach believed that the game was good not just because of the result, but the performance displayed was excellent for the squad’s confidence.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side ruthlessly dismissed Dynamo Kiev 4-1 for their first Champions League game in eight years.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2012.