The Spanish side won La Liga in 2011-12, but their manager feels they were also the best team on the continent
Jose Mourinho believes Real Madrid were the best team in Europe in 2011-12 despite falling short in the Champions League.
Under Mourinho's guidance, Madrid ended Barcelona's run of three straight La Liga titles that season, setting records for most goals (121) and points (100) in a single season.
Rivals Barcelona finished nine points behind Mourinho's Madrid
Real Madrid cruised through the Champions League group stage, winning all six of their matches in a group that included Lyon, Ajax and Dynamo Zagreb.
After taking down CSKA Moscow in the round of 16, Real Madrid cruised past APOEL in the quarter-finals by an 8-2 scoreline.
But they fell in the Champions League semi-finals, losing to Bayern Munich – who were beaten by Chelsea in the decider in a memorable Champions League final – on penalties.
Mourinho, now in charge of Tottenham, believes Madrid were then the best team in Europe.
"That season, Real Madrid were the best team in Spain and also the best in Europe," he told Marca.
"That's why it was so hard for us to deal with going out to Bayern in the Champions League."
Mourinho said the way Madrid ended Barcelona's La Liga run was important, although the club have won just one league crown since – in 2016-17.
"Ending that Barcelona dominance and doing it by achieving a record points tally and a record goals tally like that makes it even more interesting and important because we did it in the best way possible," he said.
"It wasn't only that we won La Liga, it's that we did it in a way that made history."
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Mourinho took charge at Real Madrid from 2010-13 after winning the Champions League with Inter, replacing Manuel Pellegrini after the Chilean boss failed to win a trophy during his lone season with the club.
The Portuguese manager, who also managed Chelsea and Porto prior to heading to Spain, win that famous La Liga title as well as a Copa del Rey and a Supercopa de Espana in 2012.
Mourinho rejoined Chelsea in 2013, returning to Stamford Bridge and winning the Premier League in 2014-15.
Source : Football News, Live Scores, Results & Transfers | Goal.com
Mourinho: Real Madrid were the best team in Europe in 2011-12
Mourinho: Real Madrid were the best team in Europe in 2011-12
