Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to Ajax counterpart Frank de Boer ahead of their Champions League clash.

The pair worked together at Barcelona.

"I want to thank Frank, he has said positive things about me. We worked together for two years. We have continued, without having much contact, being friends and respecting one another," said Mourinho.

"He is a young coach, he works very well and is growing in the same way that his team is and I am sure that they will be even stronger than in previous seasons. I think they are more accustomed to the Champions League and are a more tactical team than in other years and they are good on the counter and have a good team."