He arrived as triple champion from Inter Milan (Calcio, Italian Cup and Champions League) and he brought his huge ego into the Spanish league. In a press conference, Mourinho said:
"Please don't call me arrogant. I'm European champion and I believe I'm a special one."
When you look at Mourinho's time in Madrid, you realize that maybe the Spanish club was too big for him. The Special One had to win the Liga and defeat Barcelona, especially with the team he had: Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Ozil, Di Maria, Casillas, Sergio Ramos and many more. He HAD to win, no other options.
However, in the first classico of his career, Mourinho will leave the Camp Nou with five goals in the bag and a lesson of football by Barcelona and Messi (who did not have to score a single goal in this game).
Sure, later on, Mourinho found a way to stop Barcelona, but simply by playing dirty football with a great soldier named Pepe. This is Mourinho's way to play and always has been.
"If you defend well and don't get scored on, you win matches. Simple as that."
Real Madrid will finally win La Liga in 2012. Madrid will even set records for most games won in La Liga (32), most away wins (16), most points in any of the top European leagues (100) and highest goal difference (+89).
Sure the team won La Liga, but what about the Champions League? The one Mou was hired to win?! In three seasons, Madrid fell three times in the semifinals of the competition to Barca, Bayern and Dortmund. The 1-4 defeat to the German club this season is, in my opinion, a representation of the fiasco Mourinho's time at Madrid has been.
We can also talk about Mourinho's managing skills and his relationship with high stature players such as Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas. He had many arguments with the first one throughout his time there and most of the time, fans would agree with Ramos, an example of success and hard work with Madrid and Spain. And then, Mourinho benched Casillas! What are you doing Jose?! You don't bench "San Iker" when he is fit!? He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and you bench him?! Probably the biggest mistake of his career, so far.
Mourinho will coach a team he loves, in a league he loves next season. Chelsea's fans and players are ready to welcome the Special One back to Stanford Bridge. And he is ready too.
"I know I am loved in England. I am loved by the fans and the media. They treat me fairly. They give me credit when it is due and criticize when it is deserved. I am loved by some clubs, especially one. Spain is different, some people hate me, many of you in this room," Mourinho said in the UCL semifinals post-game press conference.
Oh Jose, you really are special...and we love you!
No comments:
Post a Comment