Mourinho noted that his team had a “stable performance”, adding that the defeat could be a start for his players.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Benfica manager, Jose Mourinho, has attributed his team’s narrow loss to Chelsea in Tuesday’s Champions League game to lack of training time on the pitch.
He made this known while reacting to questions from newsmen after the crucial European encounter.
Benfica suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Blues in the game played at the Stamford Bridge.
Richard Rios’ own goal in the first half proved to be decisive, as Chelsea held on to secure their first win of the competition.
Reacting to the defeat, Mourinho said he and his players didn’t get the required time to prepare for the match.
He went on to list other factors that caused his team the three points at stake on the night.
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He, however, noted that Benfica had a “stable performance”, adding that the defeat could be a start for his players. .
Speaking after the game, Mourinho said, “We played four matches with two days in between. I never trained, I just recovered in between and one of my strengths is on the pitch, training. You don’t have time for that.
“When a team changes coach mid-season it’s because things are not good.
“So we’ve had some difficulties and also a period of big pressure for the players with the election period at the club – it’s almost a political campaign and the players can’t escape that.
“Coming to the match today, a defeat is always a defeat but there are defeats and defeats.
“This one is one that can be a start for them, it was a stable performance. We could’ve come away from here with a draw and it would’ve been positive.”
