• Champions League

Arsenal's CL 'mistake' could prove fatal - Mourinho

ESPN staff
December 20, 2010
Jose Mourinho has had his disagreements with Arsene Wenger in the past © Getty Images
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Jose Mourinho has warned Arsenal that a "mistake" in the group phase could prove fatal to their chances in the Champions League.

The Gunners looked to be running away with Group H when they won each of their first three games, but successive defeats against Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga resigned them to a second-place finish.

That meant the Gunners were handed the unenviable task of facing Barcelona in the first knockout round - the same side that handed them a 6-3 aggregate thumping in the competition last season.

Now Mourinho, who saw his Real Madrid side hammered 5-0 at the Nou Camp, has increased the pressure on Arsene Wenger's men by hailing Barca's quality.

"They are paying for their mistake in the group phase," Mourinho told Sky Sports News. "Last season they played against Barcelona, and of course when you go to Barcelona they are very strong."

Mourinho's former side Chelsea face Copenhagen in the round-of-16, and the 47-year-old has told the Blues to be wary of complacency ahead of the clash. "Copenhagen showed in the group phase that they don't have the same potential or talent as some teams but they are very well organised and they have the self belief, so they will be not as easy as people expect," he said. "Of course I expect Chelsea will go through."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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