Thursday, 09 August 2012 15:26

NEW YORK: Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho conceded he was wrong to poke current Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova in the eye during a touchline altercation during the Spanish Supercopa last season.

Occuring during the two-legged competition when Vilanova was then-assistant coach to Josep 'Pep' Guardiola, the incident happened in a tie which Real went on to lose 5-4 on aggregate.

Mourinho subsequently had a ban as punishment lifted.

The outspoken Portuguese has since admitted he lost control of himself at that moment, but revealed there was no bad blood that existed any longer between the two of them.

"I should obviously not have done what I did," said Mourinho. "Nevertheless, there was a whole story behind that that made me lose a little control.

"The one who failed there was me, and I place plenty of emphasis these days on my players just to continue concentrating on games themselves and controlling their emotions.

"There lie no problems between Tito and myself. We greeted each other normally in subsequent matches. Thankfully, the story is over and we must just hope to avoid such instances in the future."

With his thoughts shifting to the season ahead, the 49-year-old was quick to state his objectives of building upon their Primera Liga triumph by eventually winning the Champions League.

"Last season, we were only eliminated on penalties in Europe. We're close, and if we keep trying, one day it will happen."

Real crashed out to eventual runners-up Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Real thrashed AC Milan 5-1 at Yankee Stadium this morning to round off their penultimate match in the World Football Challenge in style.

Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show finishing off a pair of counterattacks with aplomb to send the Spanish side on their way to a victory that they fully warranted.

Angel Di Maria had earlier given Real the lead after 25 minutes with a swerving volley, but Robinho stabbed home a surprise equalizer eight minutes later to send the match into the break all square.

However, Ronaldo took over in the second-half with his brace before a late header from Sergio Ramos and a goal from Jose Callejon at the death put matters beyond any doubt.