Mourinho: Equaliser was key in defeat to Barca

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho admitted his players were “deflated” by conceding an equaliser from a corner as they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo had given the hosts an 11th-minute lead, but Barcelona levelled when Carles Puyol was left unmarked to head in Xavi’s corner before Eric Abidal struck the winner with 13 minutes remaining.