Mourinho thanks Chelsea fans and Maresca is relieved after win
Jose Mourinho thanked Chelsea fans for their warm reception after his Benfica side lost 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
The Portuguese, who led the Blues to three Premier League titles in two separate spells as manager, took the Eagles to west London – but an own goal in the 18th minute by Richard Rios proved to be enough for Enzo Maresca’s side on the night.
Mourinho joined Benfica earlier this month following a spell with Fenerbahce in the Turkish SuperLig. And while he expressed his continued desire to succeed in football, he paid tribute to Chelsea fans who continue to revere him.
“I thank them (Chelsea fans) and of course I meet them in London on the street when I am here”, said Mourinho. “Hopefully I come back here in ten years with my grandkids and I belong in their history.
“I don’t feel myself with them, I am with Benfica here, and look for victories and results.
“When I come (to English football with Chelsea) nobody was waiting for anything from me. Will he do it, or not do it? In my career everyone thinks I have magic to make things happen. I led Roma to two European finals and was at Tottenham and Manchester United and won things.
“It is never enough and I want more every day. My family understand I am desperate to win the next match and to keep pushing myself”.
Mourinho was frustrated that his Benfica side could not make capital on a night when they had plenty of possession but could not translate it in terms of goals against his former club.
“Today I am really happy – the performance I like very much”, added the 62 year old. “We started well and controlled well.
“We had chances for sure – the goal is probably the only mistake we made defensively. The game was very stable and we were pushing and pushing. In the last period I tried to play fresh people, like a striker and left winger, but then (Enzo) Maresca has a good team and they have better players. The Chelsea squad allows them to do that”.
Meanwhile, Maresca was relieved that Chelsea earned all three points despite a below par performance – which also included a red card for striker Joao Pedro in added time – three days after the shock 3-1 Premier League defeat at home to Brighton.
“We needed the three points and the first half we controlled the game”, admitted the Blues’ head coach.
“For different reasons things didn’t work in the second half. It is a nice feeling and important to win.
“It is very difficult (with the player changes) – we are seven, eight players out at the moment and it is about adapting and winning games.
“The target is to reach the next stage. For us it is so important. We will wait for the international break and see which players will be coming back”.
