Real Madrid boss Mourinho defends weakened selection for dismal defeat
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho stood by his team selection after defeat to Real Zaragoza.
Mourinho insisted his conscious was "clear" with regards the team he picked, even though he concedes Zaragoza's relegation rivals will not be happy that Madrid lost.
Mourinho, who criticised Sporting Gijon earlier this season for playing a supposedly weakened team against Madrid's title rivals Barcelona, said: "I would understand (the other coaches) even though this team won in Valencia and Bilbao, two very difficult stadiums. The team had more than enough quality to win."
"I have a clear conscience and I've not wanted to gift anything to Zaragoza nor to the rest of the teams that are fighting for survival. When we were losing I sent on first-choice players who were tired, Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Marcelo."
"I don't feel that we've gifted anything to Zaragoza but I accept that coaches of other teams could to be very disappointed (with this result). Madrid have tried everything possible to win and you also have to give credit to your opponents."