What happened on the San Siro pitch last night was very entertaining and in the end the better side won. However, it’s what happened off the pitch that had Sporting Fare laughing with glee.
Jose Mourinho offers unrivalled off-pitch entertainment
The ever-entertaining Mourinho had a bust up in the tunnel with Barcelona’s Xavi, gave a brilliant post match interview during which he couldn’t resist taking a swipe at the Spanish side, bigging himself up further and looking, frankly, as smug as we have ever seen him!
Apparently, aggrieved at not receiving a penalty when Daniel Alves was taken out by Wesley Schneider, Xavi claimed bias from Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca towards his compatriot Mourinho. Mourinho fired right back at the Spaniard, reminding him that Barcelona only made the final last year when Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo turned down several penalty claims from his former club Chelsea.
We love half time and full time tunnel clashes and we only wish we could have been there in person. But “The Special One” excelled himself in the post match interview to make up for it.
“It’s a pity. A year ago Chelsea were crying and Barca were laughing with the referee. They laughed because he denied my Chelsea boys their rightful place.”
Indeed, Jose, though we shall refrain pointing out the number of times Chelsea were aided in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europe by generous decisions themselves. That’s football!
“It gives me great pride to say that we could go to Madrid to play the final or we will come home from Barcelona with our heads held high. We’ve beaten the best team in the world and now Inter are a great Champions League team. If we don’t win it this year, we’ll win it next year or in two years time. We’ll be in semi-finals and finals – we’ve changed.”
There is nothing too controversial in there – though his fortune telling skills have often proved to be wrong and Inter are not yet a great Champions League side at all, despite his preening – but his delivery…ah, his delivery is what has all the hacks sitting on the edge of their seats and last night was no different. Every word of that was said with smug satisfaction and dripped with self love.
Contrast with Pep Guardiola:
“This can happen, especially when you’re playing in the semi-final of the Champions League and against Inter Milan. Of course it’s not ideal losing like this but we can still do it. The result is not good, we gave away too many balls, we can do better. This wasn’t our best game and Inter don’t make it easy for you to play.
“I know the players are tired but I’m not a medical expert and I can’t say how much the journey affected them. In Barcelona we will attack. We will put water on the pitch so the ball moves quicker, which they didn’t do here. We’ll see a good game, hopefully.”
Magnanimous, disappointed but optimistic. Mourinho offers entertainment but to be honest, we prefer the honesty and class displayed by Guardiola. Long may Mourinho continue to deliver for the press – as long as there is a counterpoint in the likes of the Guardiola.
What’s your preference? The arrogance of a Jose or the quiet class of a Pep? Let us know in the comments.
