Jose: Draw was good result

By foxsports
Published

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho feels his team deserved to win Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 first leg at Lyon.

The non-award of a second-half penalty proved crucial.

Bafetimbi Gomis struck a late equaliser for the hosts after substitute Karim Benzema - formerly of Lyon - had opened the scoring in the 1-1 draw at the Stade Gerland which leaves Madrid favourites to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in seven years.

"I feel we did more to win 2-0 than to draw 1-1, but this is nevertheless a good result because we'll play the return leg at our stadium in front of our fans," Mourinho said. "They have to help us reach the quarter-finals."

Madrid felt they should have been awarded a penalty in the 64th minute for handball - with the score at 0-0 - after a Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick had been blocked, but their appeals were waved away by referee Wolfgang Stark.

"It is very complicated to be a referee," Mourinho said. "You don't like it when a ref is late or misses something during the game, but certain situations are unacceptable.

"I saw a player touch the ball with his elbow 50 metres away and the ref, who was just five metres away, didn't award a penalty.

"This is the Champions League - a competition that showcases the best players, the best clubs and the best referees.

"None of the four refs on the pitch saw the handball. I hope it doesn't prove decisive at the end of the knockout stage. It would be very sad if it did."

Despite surrendering the lead, Madrid will fancy their chances in the second leg at the Bernabeu, where they have won their last 22 competitive games.

But Mourinho - who guided Inter Milan to Champions League glory last season - has warned against complacency.

He added: "It's still open.

"Lyon are a very strong side with experience in Europe, so we can't think this is over.

"We earned a good result - that's it.

"They've proven to be a solid and competitive side away from home. I still believe either team has a 50 per cent chance of reaching the next round."