José Mourinho, coach of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, analyzed the defeat against Sporting Clube de Braga (1-3), in the League Cup semi-finals, in statements to Sport TV, and did not hold back in criticizing his team’s performance or the refereeing.
«I apologize to SC Braga and Carlos. I can’t say that SC Braga deserved to win. I have to say, yes, that Benfica deserved to lose. We had a horrible first half. From the moment João Pinheiro signals a penalty outside the area, instead of there being a positive click, there was a click of negativity: nervousness, horrible quality in possession of the ball, absolutely incredible losses”, he began by stating.
Mourinho was even more incisive: «Zalazar exploited the depth well and the second goal is unacceptable. It was a horrible first half on all levels. With so many technical errors, it then appears that there are errors in tactical analysis, which, in my opinion, did not happen. It is unacceptable under any circumstances, even if it were against Vizela, Seixal or Amora.”
Regarding the second half, the coach was perplexed: «It was the opposite, also inexplicable. A courageous, aggressive team, pushing SC Braga back. We talked about that at halftime. It was important to score first. Then, the third goal is inexplicable. When my teams are looking to turn things around, they cannot make defensive mistakes. We made substitutions for Ivanovic and Lopes Cabral to give more depth and presence in the area and, from a dead ball, we conceded the third goal. It’s the icing on the cake: those who deserved to lose did everything they could to lose again.”
«There are things that are said internally that should not be said publicly. Normally I don’t speak in the locker room after games, today I did. In a critical but calm tone. There were no doors through the air. It was a conversation — which ended up being a monologue. There were absolutely unacceptable individual performances, which resulted in a very weak collective performance in the first half.”
Looking at FC Porto, at Dragão
Mourinho also made clear criticisms of the refereeing and has already planned the classic at Dragão against Futebol Clube do Porto:
«We are going to play against the strongest team in the championship at the moment, the points say so. I don’t know if João Pinheiro is like this with all the captains of the teams he referees. I have many doubts. There almost seemed to be a desire to expel Otamendi. Maybe it’s good for his CV to oust a world champion.”
The coach also warned of the increased difficulties: «With António Silva out and Otamendi out, going to play with Tomás and a kid makes everything more difficult. Let’s hope that the wounded pride and sense of guilt we all must feel will serve as motivation. I trust that the players can get the best out of themselves.”
And he concluded: «The game at Dragão for the championship has to be solid and serious. We were the only team that didn’t lose to them in the first round.”
