Jose unruffled by poor finishing

Madrid: Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was unconcerned with the wayward shooting of his expensive attackers in Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League victory over Ajax Amsterdam and insisted the goals would soon flow.

Starting their quest for a 10th European title after failing to reach the last eight the past six seasons, Real peppered Ajax with 36 shots at the Bernabeu but only Gonzalo Higuain marked his name on the scoresheet after Real's opener was credited as an own goal.

Mourinho's Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina winger Angel Di Maria were especially profligate and the former, the world's most expensive player, was whistled by some fans.

Mourinho did not hide his frustration on the touchline, stalking up and down his technical area, clutching his head in his hands and at one point kicking out at the dugout. He was more philosophical after the match.

"I would be worried if we only had two shots or if [goalkeeper Iker] Casillas had been the best player on the pitch but he has hardly touched the ball in the last three matches," Mourinho told a news conference.

"It can happen that in a match when you play badly you score three goals and other times you can do everything on the pitch but score. The goals will come."

Still under construction

Mourinho, who joined Real from Inter Milan after leading the Italians to an unprecedented treble of domestic league and cup and Champions League last season, noted that he had only had 10 full training sessions with his players so far and the team was still under construction.

"Ten coaching sessions only together. With that number the development has been excellent and I am satisfied," he said.

Asked what he needed to do to improve shooting accuracy, he added:

"The best thing to do is nothing. Let them play. It's their natural habitat. One day a team will pay for it."

Meanwhile, Ajax boss and former Tottenham coach Martin Jol admitted it was men against boys and believes Real's greater experience proved crucial.

"It was a match between a team of young players against experienced, international players," said Jol.

"They know how to play the ball and didn't allow us to develop our game. We need to have the ball. They had 30 shots at goal, they clearly dominated the game."

The victory gave Real three points in a group which also includes fellow former champions AC Milan and another clean sheet.

Portugal: patriotic call

The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) wants Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho to take charge of the national side for two Euro 2012 qualifiers in October, sports daily Record reported yesterday.

FPF President Gilberto Madail travelled to Spain to meet Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes to try to persuade Real Madrid to release their Portuguese coach for the qualifiers at home against Denmark on October 8 and away to Iceland four days later. Portugal sacked Carlos Queiroz earlier this month in the wake of his six-month suspension for insulting anti-doping agents before the World Cup and have yet to name a replacement. Portugal's Euro 2012 campaign has gotten off to a dismal start .