Mourinho: Real must strive to be perfect

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has stressed the importance of the squad achieving a good run in all competitions this season.

Drawn together with Premier League winners Manchester City, Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund and Eredivisie winners Ajax Amsterdam in Group D, Real Madrid will not have it easy in their quest for progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

As such, Mourinho explained to the club's official website that the squad must focus not only on emerging victorious from all matches they participate in, but to also strive to improve after every game.

"I tell them that it will not do to be on top form just for a particular match or against a particular opponent. If we want to be on form for the Champions League we must be playing well in the league and cup," he stated.

"That's why each match doesn't have the one single objective of winning but we also to look to improve and progress."

The Portuguese fired a warning to his players that he was not afraid to axe them from the starting line-up if they failed to perform to expectations.

"I don't say that we expect perfection because it does not exist. But to get close to it, or to try to, is compulsory at Real Madrid," Mourinho said.

"If I think that a player does not understand that then, as a coach, I have weapons to prevent it: for example, if I notice that someone holds back in the league with the Champions League in mind, maybe I'll surprise him and not play him in the Champions League."

Real Madrid travel to Sevilla for their La Liga fixture this Saturday.