Mourinho bemoans hectic schedule

The La Liga club played nine games in January, five in La Liga and four in the King's Cup, and a 1-1 league draw at Almeria and Sunday's shock 1-0 defeat at Osasuna left them seven points behind leaders and great rivals Barcelona.

"Playing nine matches in a month is not a problem for players who are used to it," Portuguese Mourinho told a news conference ahead of Wednesday's Cup semi-final second leg at home to holders Sevilla, for which Real have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

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