• Champions League

Chelsea critics 'know nothing' says Mourinho

ESPN staff
April 26, 2012
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho will be supporting former club Chelsea in this season's Champions League final © Getty Images
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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has launched a stinging attack on those who criticised Chelsea after his former club progressed to the final of the Champions League.

In the wake of Real's exit at the semi-final stage of the competition to Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening, Mourinho turned his attentions to the Blues who came in for fierce criticism from some sections of the Spanish press after their 2-2 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Roberto Di Matteo's side, who played with ten men for most of the game, managed to overcome Pep Guardiola's outfit after a dogged display but the Catalan press in particular reacted fiercely to their team being dumped out by what were viewed as negative tactics.

"Some people who think of themselves as purists of the game criticised Chelsea as they criticised Inter two years ago, but they know nothing about how much effort goes in to a result like that, and nothing about tactics," Mourinho told Spanish reporters.

"They know nothing. I know who the heroes are. Chelsea deserve to be in the final."

The former Chelsea boss left little doubt as to who he would be supporting in the final, and added: "Bayern won [this semi-final] and I've learned how to be a little bit happy for others. But I don't want them to win the final because a part of me is blue. I do hope it will be a great game."

Mourinho's future at the Bernabeu had looked decidedly uncertain earlier this season as he had his own run-ins with the press and also reportedly with some of his players, but the Portuguese coach is now keen on remaining at the club.

"If I had one thing on my mind it was to win the title with these players. This group has a lot of room to grow as does the club, because it has to adapt itself in these evolving times," Mourinho said.

"The mentality has to change little by little, with communication and empathy. If the club and the players believe I can bring something more, which I hope is the case, then I will continue."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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