Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is standing by coach Jose Mourinho.

AS says defeat at Malaga has led to crisis talks between the pair, where Perez left for China convinced Mourinho is ready to tone down his combative approach.

One unnamed director said: "The press cannot be blamed that we are 16 points behind Barca or have suffered seven losses. Either we become more self-critical or the season is already lost .. . "

Mourinho was asked if he had thought of resigning and offered an olive branch to the players:

"If I felt that players did not want me, I'm too honest to continue in a losing battle. I would be the first to be honest. But the players want to win. I've told them they have no reason to go home unhappy."