Everything José Mourinho said ahead of Porto v Benfica | OneFootball

José Mourinho had a conversation with journalists at a press conference previewing the Porto - Benfica match, a big game of the eighth round of the Liga Portugal Betclic. The red coach talked about the virus that hit the red squad, the blue and white team, the election period and even had a spat with a journalist about the Portuguese coach's salary.

Status update regarding the virus. And what does the Benfica that played in London have to add to tomorrow's Benfica?

"We're all in good health, we all trained today, everything is fine. There's no one prevented from traveling or playing. There's no one left behind. We're all going. We played a good game in London, we didn't score goals, we could have, we controlled the game well in its different phases, we had the ability to create opportunities, those who don't score can only draw, but we lost. There are no two games alike, but if we could have the same kind of control tomorrow, it would be the ideal situation".

How will you shield the locker room because of the elections? And what comment do you make about the fact that FC Porto moved the conference to after yours?

"I think it's a common practice, often unintentional, because you want to react to the opposing coach's conference. I've done it too. If you're watching my conference I take the opportunity to send a hug to Francesco. Regarding shielding, it's looking at an important moment in the club's history with respect, but trying to think about our mission. It's trying not to think too much, not to dialogue, not to waste time with things we can't control. In this giant group of people there will be people who are members and who can vote, but that's all. We have to focus on our work".

Did you consider postponing the game?

"No, it started in London. There's a player who is the main culprit, I know who he is and I joke with him (laughs), then it was me... It was worrying a couple of days ago, but today everyone trained. We even considered traveling to the North separately, but it won't be necessary. The trend is that tomorrow we will be better than today. But we didn't think about postponing".

Will the virus imply changes in the starting eleven?

"No. We thought 'if', but it didn't go beyond that. Today was important to see how the players felt, I myself wanted to see how I was today and I felt normal, the players too. As long as there is no setback, there will be no problems. The starting eleven? I won't answer you. But nothing that will be related to more coughing or vomiting".

The two teams are in different moments. Do you feel you are at a disadvantage?

"Forget the virus, it doesn't enter the equation for me. Tomorrow after the game I don't want to talk about the virus, unless from today to tomorrow I lose key players. The training went on with total normality, there were no players with symptoms. We are in obvious different moments. FC Porto has a lot of work behind them, they had pre-season, they didn't play playoffs. There's a lot of work there, the team is doing well, they have an obvious structure, well-acquired dynamics, the results are a consequence of the hard work they have and we don't have. Today was one of the few trainings where I had the whole team, with the handicap of having a game tomorrow. The work is very much based on analysis and trying to make the team grow. FC Porto has a good team, very solid, with the coach's touch. But they are not the favorites for this".

Analysis of Froholdt:

"Very good player, he had already caught my eye and computer. He works hard, has a good arrival in the area, is dangerous in set pieces or arrival in the area. Very well integrated in the dynamics that the coach imposes on the team. But we have to be concerned with everyone".

Impact of a defeat at Dragão - Benfica can leave the classic with a difference of 7 points to FC Porto.

"And if we leave one point behind FC Porto? That can also happen...".

What has this Benfica been missing to be whatever it is? Schjelderup and the statements of the Norwegian national team coach...

"The situation is simple, just look at it with a bit of ethics. Any of the selectors will be happy when I look at this situation. When Benfica's players go to the national teams I won't make a single comment. The national team is sovereign, may God help them not to come back injured... I would appreciate it if on the other hand, when they are at Benfica, at their workplace, they would not comment. I don't understand how a national team coach makes a comment about a club player. I believe that the majority of the other selectors will be happy with this attitude of mine. I am available to talk, but I would appreciate it if there was this respect when the player is from the club. What has been missing? Time to work".

You said that Chelsea is superior to FC Porto...

"When you lose you have to try to grab something positive, motivating, that can make the people who are looking down receive something positive. There was no negative intention towards FC Porto. I can praise more and say that I really like FC Porto's team. But one thing is the world champion who plays to win the Premier League and another who plays in the Portuguese league. They are different contexts, my team played a good game against this team. If we played like this at Stamford Bridge why can't we play at FC Porto's stadium?".

Do you see FC Porto stronger as a collective? Any key piece in the starting eleven? Manteigas says that Mourinho was hired as communications director: what comment do you make?

"I don't comment on the candidates' statements, nor the president's, I don't think either is correct. I am a coach and that's what I want to be. Regarding FC Porto, they have great individuals, but they are a strong team, with a coach with clear ideas, who must have taken advantage of every minute of pre-season, I really like their team".

You had a few more days to prepare for this game, did you do anything different at the tactical and psychological level?

"Yes, good question. At the tactical level we had today a day that allowed us to work well, with low intensity, our ideas. At the emotional level it is important that so many new people understand the context well. For a coach who has been on the other side and is on this side it is easier to anticipate scenarios at the emotional level. Even if they have had classics from other countries where they come from, it is important to have a good notion of what this classic has".

You said that there was a lack of time and work for Benfica to play better. Mourinho wasn't cheap, don't you have to not have time to get to what you want?

"You and some of your colleagues are dying to know how much I earn. How much do you earn? You won't say? Then don't talk about mine. You guys are a bit obsessed with numbers. You're not being disrespectful, but there's a brutal curiosity about how much the neighbor earns. Maybe we start winning tomorrow! Football is like that, sometimes the results are a consequence of the work you do, what I'm guaranteeing is that we're working hard. Life is not good when you lose, the player when he loses feels responsibilities and the coach too. More important than my resume are my years of experience winning and losing. The players deserve happiness joy and at this moment they are not achieving it. With Rio Ave we felt that, even winning against Gil Vicente we continued to feel... I don't think about me, I'm thinking about them and the fans who love the club, who are the real club. I consider myself a great coach, excuse the lack of modesty, I have a well-prepared staff and we are working hard. Real results? Maybe tomorrow, but we can't predict. With Chelsea it could have been different, the performance was quite acceptable, but we'll see. We work seriously".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.