Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho admitted motivation was a problem against APOEL, before ruling out a final against Chelsea.
It will not be a Real Madrid and Chelsea final, says Jose
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho admitted motivation was a problem against APOEL, before ruling out a UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea.
Real ran out 5-2 winners at the Bernabeu to secure an 8-2 quarter-final aggregate victory over Cypriot side APOEL on Wednesday night, setting up a semi-final against Bayern Munich.
And Mourinho was content with his team's efforts, as he told
Sky Sports: "We knew it was almost impossible for APOEL to win 4-1 so it was not easy to motivate the boys when we had it under control.
"But we did our job and I could use the game to get players (some) miles in their legs."
With former club Chelsea also progressing to the semi-final, where they will face Barcelona, it raises the possibility of a final against his ex-employers.
Proud
But Mourinho, who has implied a bias from officials towards Barcelona in the past, was keen to downplay the likelihood of a final date with the London club.
"Let me be honest with you, I don't think it'll be Real Madrid versus Chelsea," he said. "I prefer to say only this.
"It can be Bayern, it can be Barcelona. I just don't think it'll be Real Madrid against Chelsea."
APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic, whose team's journey started with qualifying last summer, was proud of his side's efforts in what has been an astonishing campaign for the club.
"We knew we weren't going to get through to the semi-finals after the match in Nicosia," he said. "What we wanted was to play the best football possible.
"The result wasn't so bad. I think our fans enjoyed a nice game. We're very proud to say goodbye to the Champions League in this stadium against Real Madrid."
