Jose keeps his counsel
The relegation-threatened Black Cats won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to end Mourinho’s 77-match unbeaten home record in the Premier League and further dent Chelsea’s title hopes, leaving the old European Cup as their most likely chance of silverware this term.
Midfielder Ramires, Mourinho and his assistant Rui Faria could all face scrutiny when the FA returns from its extended weekend today for incidents during the loss.
Mourinho made only a statement after the match in which he made veiled criticisms of the officials and referees’ chief Mike Riley, and he declined to elaborate yesterday.
“Today and tomorrow and also Wednesday are Champions League days and if you want to speak about the Premier League you have 19 teams in England that you can speak with,” Mourinho said.
“Chelsea today and tomorrow is Champions League and we are only available to speak about Champions League.”
Asked how important it is that his players, his staff and he himself keep their composure in the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Mourinho added: “We always behave in relation to the situation.”
Mourinho declined the opportunity to speak about tonight’s referee, the Swede Jonas Eriksson, who was criticised by Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini earlier this season.
“I don’t speak about the referees before the game,” Mourinho said.
“Before the game I always think that the referee is there to do his job. And tomorrow I don’t change my mind. I hope he has a good game.”
Curiously, Chelsea face their own goalkeeper tonight as Thibaut Courtois is poised to feature against his parent club during his third successive season on loan at Atletico.
It was reported that Chelsea would demand the Spanish side pay a fee of around €3 million for each game in accordance with their confidential loan agreement, but Uefa announced it expected Courtois to be free to face the Blues.
Mourinho said: “I think that on Uefa decisions it’s better not to comment, you just accept or if you don’t accept you don’t make any comment. Uefa decides and I think managers don’t comment.”
Mourinho was not in a talkative mood last night.
He declined to discuss in detail his thoughts on Atletico as the Blues compete for a place in the May 24 final in Lisbon against Real Madrid or defending champions Bayern Munich.
“It’s with my players that I have to share my opinions about Atletico,” Mourinho said.
“I (have) watched them play lots of times. When we got them in the draw, from that moment I watched them play with better eyes.
“I study a lot, I try to be ready to make my players understand what Atletico is, but I have no interests in sharing with you (the media) my vision.
“To reach a Champions League semi-final and to be fighting for the Spanish title, you must be a very important team.
“We know Atletico will try everything to win the game, but we are going to try to win too.”
Striker Samuel Eto’o did not travel due to a knee injury, but playmaker Eden Hazard did despite a calf problem, as did unwell goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The absence of Eto’o could see Fernando Torres called upon, although Mourinho opted to use Andre Schurrle as a ‘false nine’ in the previous round in Paris.
Torres was mobbed on his arrival for his first return to Atletico since his July 2007 move to Liverpool.
“I have no doubts that in the minutes that he’s on the pitch tomorrow he’s going to try to do everything for Chelsea,” Mourinho said.
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