Mourinho, Klopp relieved with point

Jose Mourinho said the possibility of Real Madrid finishing second in Group D could be a problem for those topping other Champions League groups.

It took an 89th minute free-kick from Mesut Oezil to snatch a point for Real Madrid in a 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, after the German side had gone in ahead at the break through Marco Reus and an Alvaro Arbeloa own goal.

Mourinho believes his side finishing second in the group is a bigger concern for other clubs.

“If we qualify, if this is the most difficult group and we end up second, then, that’s a problem for the other teams that end up first in their groups,” Mourinho said after the match.

“The two times that I’ve won the Champions League my team ended the group stage in second place.

“There is no drama here. We played a great game versus Manchester City and today it’s been another great game.

“We made two big defensive mistakes, you can’t do that against a big team, they will kill you.

“Dortmund put us under a lot of pressure. In the first half we couldn’t perform, but the second half was quite different, I liked the second half.”

Mourinho also brushed off a question about any hostility the crowd at the Bernabeu showed.

“After two years here I can’t be surprised, whistles, support, a cold stadium … it’s a cultural issue,” he said.

When asked why Alvaro Morata was not in the squad after Karim Benzema was ruled out on Monday, he said: “Easy, I’m to blame for that. Morata played 90 minutes on Sunday. I didn’t know I would not have Benzema and Pipa (Higuain).

“Benzema was injured during a training session, and then Pipa got injured in the first half.

“I was asked to let Morata play for Castilla and I said yes, so I’m to blame for not having him available today.”

Mourinho then expressed his doubts that either Higuain or Benzema would be available for Madrid’s La Liga match against Levante on Sunday.

“I guess that both Benzema and Pipa will not be available for Sunday,” he said.

The other two teams looking to qualify from Group D are Manchester City and Ajax, who also drew 2-2 on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp confessed his side were lucky to escape with a point.

“We’ve had some luck. If you have no luck here (at the Bernabeu), you concede eight goals,” he said.

“It is very difficult to plan a match against Real Madrid. The big difference is, when you play at the Bernabeu, they are more aggressive.”

Klopp did compliment the display of his team, who were minutes away from securing a famous double victory over Mourinho’s men.

“This was a good result. Our plan was to not make mistakes and have possession of the ball. We had clear ideas and played very well, especially in the second half against (Cristiano) Ronaldo on the right wing,” he said.