Mourinho´s Real greater than Galacticos

Sevilla coach Michel has claimed that Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid are stronger than the side under the leadership of Vicente del Bosque.

The current Spain boss, del Bosque presided over a glittered four-year spell in the capital between 1999 and 2003, winning two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies with the likes of Raul, Zinedine Zidane, Figo and Ronaldo at his disposal – a side that was nicknamed the ‘Galacticos’.

Michel, 48, spent the majority of his playing career at Madrid, and he said the current squad has the potential to better the team that once reigned supreme a decade ago.

“On paper, maybe (the current team) is more spectacular, but Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, Hierro, Roberto Carlos and Raul are players in the history of Real Madrid and the history of world football,” Michel told AS.

But despite acknowledging their improvements, Michel posed the reminder that Mourinho’s men must now start picking up more silverware if they are to be remembered as a great Madrid team in the future.

“They have to win things, as their predecessors won La Liga titles and Champions Leagues,” he added.

“They must continue the cycle, even though they are stronger on paper.”

Madrid are 10 points clear at the La Liga summit with 15 games to play, while they remain in the hunt for the Champions League, after a 1-1 away draw with CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.