Mourinho criticizes Benfica players despite cup victory
Jose Mourinho has given an astonishing post-match interview, ripping into his own players despite winning the match. The Benfica boss made four substitutions at half-time of the fourth-round cup game but claimed he should have made nine changes, much was his frustration, reports BritPanorama.
The Portuguese side beat Atletico CP 2-0, scoring both goals in the second half. Atletico CP are a small team in Lisbon, currently in the third tier of Portuguese football.
Mourinho, who has managed Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid, described his side’s first-half performance as “poor.” He stated, “And it was poor in the sense that hurts me the most, which is when you’re poor in attitude. There were many players who weren’t serious, who didn’t approach things as they should have. At half-time, I made four substitutions, but I would have liked to have made nine.” He identified in the locker room the players he would gladly keep on, asserting that only two wanted to play seriously.
The Portuguese manager then told RTP, “In the second half, obviously, we improved a lot. Atlético couldn’t get out of their own half as they usually do… It was only a matter of time before we scored. If we had scored earlier, the result would certainly have been more decisive. But the attitude in the second half improved; we were completely dominant. I didn’t like the first half. The attitude was poor. I was calm at half-time, but I was very honest. I said there were things I wouldn’t accept.”
Benfica currently holds third place in the Portuguese top-flight league and has a challenging match against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday. Mourinho reflected on his team’s form, stating, “The message is a general message, from Benfica supporters. In my case, I am the Benfica coach and the responsibility is mine, but the players also have one, fundamentally towards Benfica supporters. In terms of attitude, there are things that are non-negotiable and that I cannot accept. I am sure that Benfica forgives many things in general, but it does not forgive a lack of attitude.”
Concluding his thoughts, Mourinho acknowledged his role, saying, “The responsibility lies with the manager, and with me. When I criticise the players, I’m criticising myself for not getting the best out of them. That’s implicit. When I criticise the team and the players, I’m criticising myself.” Since he took charge in September after being dismissed by Fenerbahce, the club has lost all four of their Champions League games so far and sits second bottom in the group stage table.
In the world of football, passionately competing is vital, yet Mourinho’s raw honesty serves as a sharp reminder that even victories can leave a bitter aftertaste when expectations clash with reality.
