Jose Mourinho’s grand UEFA Champions League return to his old stomping grounds ended in a loss at Stamford Bridge as a Richard Rios own goal in the 18th minute led to a 1-0 win for Chelsea over Benfica.
Mourinho enjoyed two successful spells with Chelsea earlier in his coaching career before coaching in Italy and Turkey and only recently picked up the head coaching job at Benfica to replace Bruno Lage.
Speaking in a post-game presser, Mourinho pointed to lack of rest for his team and a quick turn around for the team to adopt his style as factors that affected his side.
“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.”
“A defeat is always a defeat but there are defeats and defeats. We could’ve come away from here with a draw and it would’ve been positive” he said to TNT Sports.
