|
|
|
Jose Mourinho has warned his players to expect Levski Sofia to be fired up for a Champions League upset.
Mourinho predicts it will be a serious contest in the Bulgarian capital, even though Levski crumbled 5-0 to Barcelona in their Group A opener.
The Chelsea boss vowed to play his strongest team in Sofia, with John Terry expected to return after a back injury.
Mourinho said: "If someone offers me a 1-0 win, I will take it and go to London now.
"Levski don't have the best players in the world like Barcelona, or a player to win the next Golden Ball or players with 50 games in the Champions League - but they have quality.
"And the first game at home is always a special game.
"I went with Porto to Partizan Belgrade to play in their first-ever Champions League game and it is always very difficult.
"It is a very big achievement for Levski to be in the Champions League.
"It is easy for me to prepare Chelsea to play Liverpool, Barcelona or Manchester United because I know my players are 200% focused.
"For this kind of match, I have to work a lot more to prepare them well."
Mourinho has shown his players clips of Levski in action against local rivals CSKA Sofia and Italian Serie A side Chievo, who they beat to qualify for the Champions League group phase for the first time.
He believes the Bulgarian champions will try to win rather than adopting a damage limitation approach after their humbling in Barcelona.
Mourinho said: "I don't believe coaches and teams play football with the objective not to lose by a big goal difference.
"Every coach or player goes out to get a result - not to lose 2-0 or 3-0.
"If they can't qualify, they will be thinking of coming third and going into the UEFA Cup.
"To do that they have to win matches and it's easier to win matches at home than away."
Levski coach Stanimir Stoilov claims Barcelona have more flair than Chelsea but has the Premiership champions down as ruthless winners.
Stoilov said: "Chelsea and Barca are both very strong but Barca plays more attractive football and Chelsea is all about winning.
"Chelsea is perfect in defence and they don't let other teams create too many chances.
"They also have magnificent midfielders and forwards and they can score from anywhere and from almost every situation.
"Of course, Chelsea has its weak sides but I doubt whether we can exploit them."
Mourinho did not argue with Stoilov's assessment but took it as a compliment.
The Portuguese said: "We do not have a player like Barcelona have, to do a trick and leave people with open mouths.
"We are not often on the Soccer AM show, where they show the best tricks.
"But, when Stoilov says we are a team about winning, I think that is a very, very good compliment. I'm happy with that."
Mourinho also charmed the locals in Sofia by hailing their hero Hristo Stoichkov as the greatest player he ever worked with.
Stoichkov, now manager of the Bulgaria national team, was a Barcelona striker when Mourinho was on the coaching staff at the Nou Camp.
Mourinho said: "I was with Hristo in Barcelona, when I was an assistant, and I think he is the best player I have ever worked with.
"What he is doing with the national team means they maybe at the next European Championships and that would be a very important moment for football in this country."
|
Source: BBC Sport |
|
|
|
Other great sites
Search
|
