RM: Post-Ponferradina Comments (12.20.11)

Mourinho: 

on Callejón - “I already liked how Callejón played [with] his former team, which exploited his main characteristics very well. You never know how long its going to take for a player to adapt to a new team & a new reality. Callejón has a strong and well rounded personality, & he spent some years at Real Madrid. He is doing a good job.”

on the academy players - “Youth teamers will play again depending on the situation we’re in. Today was perfect because we had no pressure & could be calm about it. I really looked forward to allowing Casado & Pacheco to make their first team debuts. Nacho & Joselu had already played for me. I have confidence in them if there’s any problem.”

Callejón: “It was a special day for the team because we won the tie, & all Madridistas enjoyed themselves immensely.” [video - Spanish]

Joselu: “I got goosebumps when I heard the Bernabéu chanting my name. You just think about doing a good job, but that really is amazing.”  [video - Spanish]

Sahin: “I don’t know how I reached the box, & I think it’s the first header I’ve ever scored. I need minutes to be in good form. I played 90 minutes, managed to score & didn’t do badly. The holidays are next, & we must work even more when we get back. I wish good health for my teammates & myself; the rest will come.” [video - Spanish]

Pepe: “We were humble & respectful towards Ponferradina. We did a very good job. The debut of reserve players is positive for the club. I hope they find success here. All Madridismo is happy. We’ll have a relaxed Christmas and we’ll return to work on trying to win it all in January.” [video - Spanish]

Nacho: “Today was special for the academy because all three subs came from there. It is a very special day for all of us, especially for playing at this stadium. We didn’t expect many people to come see the game, but it was nearly a full house. It was marvelous.”

“The first team players are very used to having us train with them. They treat us like their own, which is very positive for us. I think Pacheco and Casado did well today. I congratulated them. I wish Castilla reaches the Second Division and that Real Madrid win every title in 2012.”

Men of the Match: José Callejón & Nuri Sahin

[Photo credit: Getty Images]

In Case You Missed It / Photo gallery / Video highlights

Game notes. As the Ponfe players were walking off the pitch, Mourinho stayed to greet them. Dani Carril asked him for his jacket & Mourinho obliged him. [video]

Real Madrid ended 2011 with another win & another broken record. In the Copa del Rey, the club had gone 617 minutes without conceding a goal. The previous record was 595 minutes.

Winter break. Now that the last match of 2011 has been played, the club will be on holiday until December 29. Training resumes at 4 pm CET.

Upcoming fixtures. Looking ahead to the Copa del Rey Round of 16, the club will learn their opponents Friday morning. The first leg will be played away (January 4), & the Bernabéu will hold the return leg on January 11. The second leg of the league kicks off January 7/8 when Real Madrid host Granada.