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Mourinho praises Kaka workrate after CSKA Moscow win

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was full of praise for midfielder Kaka after his side's 4-1 victory against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League

The Spanish capital club have cruised into the competition's quarter-finals with a 5-2 aggregate victory following a 1-1 stalemate in the Russian capital last month.Kaka was the man of the match at the Santiago Bernabeu, assisting Gonzalo Higuain for the first goal and being heavily involved in the team's attacking plays before being replaced in the 75th minute.

"He had a spectacular match," Mourinho told reporters after the game. "He had his best games at AC Milan, but he has never worked harder than now.

"He does fantastic work for the team and it is normal that he does not have enough strength in his legs after 75 minutes.

"We created our best chances in the first half."

Mourinho then played down the fact that he will be unable to count on Xabi Alonso in the first leg of the quarter-finals, as the Spanish midfielder will have to serve a one-match suspension after being booked on Wednesday.

"There is no reason to cry because Xabi will not be able to play," Mourinho added.

"We are fine in the midfield, there will not be any problem because Lassana Diarra or Esteban Granero will play next to Sami Khedira."

The Portuguese coach then hailed Madrid's display against CSKA, saying that his side deserved to win the match.

"Although CSKA had a good chance to score at the beginning, we controlled the match," Mourinho explained.

"As soon as we lost the ball, we put pressure on them and we controlled proceedings.

"This was not a spectacular match, but it was one of great maturity. After we were up 3-0, we stopped working at the same level."

Quizzed on his preferred opponent for the quarter finals, Mourinho said: "I am not thinking about that. The most important thing is that we are through and now we have to wait