The Mourinho Thread

[The Skipper 20,609]

Manuel Pellegrini has claimed that a Premier League title win for Chelsea would be very disappointing for football, for fans, for everyone

In a dig at his long-time rival Jose Mourinho, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said that attack-minded teams such as his and Liverpool deserve to be rewarded for their approach.

Liverpool, who play City at Anfield on Sunday, have scored 90 league goals in 33 games this season while their Manchester title rivals have 84 from 31. Second-placed Chelsea have struck 65 times in their 33 matches ahead of their trip to Swansea today, and the prospect of Mourinhos side winning the league prompted a stinging response from Pellegrini.

It would be very disappointing, for football, for the fans, for everyone, he said. I think that the most attractive football, the more goals you can score, should be rewarded.

Im not saying its not important to defend very well. Football is attacking and defending. But I think that big teams must play as big teams.

In general, Pellegrini has shied away from controversial comments since succeeding Roberto Mancini last summer. But Mourinho has repeatedly proved able to get under his skin.

The Portuguese, who succeeded Pellegrini at Real Madrid, has claimed City should win the title this season with their squad while Pellegrini has ridiculed the Chelsea managers attempts to portray his team as a little horse.

Pellegrinis outburst is likely to further antagonise that relationship, and the Chilean also risked his relations with Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, by claiming both he and Mourinho were wrong to say they were not under pressure in the title race.

I dont think its true, Pellegrini said. Maybe they are covering for if they dont win the title. But really, I dont think both of the managers feel that that is the reality.

This profession is about pressure. I cant believe being in this profession without pressure. And more important, when you manage important teams, is to have the chance to win the title.

I dont know what their players think, but Im sure if I said to my players we dont have any pressure to win, I dont think that would work.

I dont think the players agree not important players that they dont have a chance of winning the title. Not when they are one point or two points off the top. When they are 10 points away, maybe. But I dont think Chelsea players or Liverpool players believe they dont have pressure to win the title.

City suffered an injury scare on Saturday with captain Vincent Kompany limping out of training. The central defender landed heavily as he challenged for a header but is still expected to be in the squad for todays match although whether he is fit enough to be able to play remains to be seen.

City striker Sergio Agüero is fit to return today and Pellegrini insisted he would not swap the Argentine even for Luis Suárez.

He said: I think a lot of Suárez. He is a great player, not only a striker. He scores goals but he also plays a lot for the team. But if you tell me I could change him for Sergio, Id say no.

Despite Pellegrinis questioning, Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta claimed the heat is on City and Liverpool. We dont have pressure, he said. Those two have the league in their hands.

Uh oh... Shots fired.

[The Mak 4,459]

Uh oh... Shots fired.

Saw this. Cannot fucking wait for Mourinho's response!

Maybe it'll be muted...or maybe he'll point to the fact we've outplayed them and their 'style' twice in the league, especially at the Ethiad. Or perhaps he'll compare records and say that the only thing disappointing is not winning trophies. Or get personal and compare their time at Madrid. Personally, I hope Mourinho just laughs hysterically!

[boshman 1,073]

Yeah ok Pellegrini.... so we all know we have to win at Anfield if we are to win it, so if we do win it we will have....

Most points (obviously)

The least goals conceded

Most clean sheets

Beaten Liverpool home and away

Beaten City home and away

Yeah so bad isn't it! Wanker!!

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

And the squad city have, they should have won the league already. Wanker!

[Blue Armour 4,448]

Seriously, comments about us playing "boring" football are getting quite frankly, boring.

Chelsea have more fixtures than anyone else in Europe, and you can't expect them to be playing like ballerinas every match...If our finishing was sharp today, the critics would be at a loss.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

We havent lost (yet) to any of top teams (City, United, Lpool, Arsenal, Spurs) in PL this year. Wonderful.

In 2009/10, we havent lost to big four either; we went on to win the title.

------

Downside, Mourinho realy needs to make us better against smaller teams though.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

We havent lost (yet) to any of top teams (City, United, Lpool, Arsenal, Spurs) in PL this year. Wonderful.

In 2009/10, we havent lost to big four either; we went on to win the title.

------

Downside, Mourinho realy needs to make us better against smaller teams though.

Are you suggesting we'll end the season by beating Cardiff 8-0 to win the title?

[duo11bluecl 207]

Next 17 days will decide his legacy this season, we could be out of both competitions by then, in the final and in the leading position to win the BPL or be in the final and lose the BPL to Liverpool. SQUEAKY BUM TIME

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

He looked really pissed all game and just bolted off after the final whistle. No handshake. No media appearances too. Perhaps he was disappointed by the fact that we needed subs to overcome a 10 man Swansea. Again.

[SinineUltra 1,170]

Next 17 days will decide his legacy this season, we could be out of both competitions by then, in the final and in the leading position to win the BPL or be in the final and lose the BPL to Liverpool. SQUEAKY BUM TIME

Shame there's not control+S function in real life. If things go sour, I'd love to reload back to this day.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

I am speculating right now. But if I am not mistaken, Mourinho has demonstrated a glimpse of how our offensive formation might be next year. While we usually play with 4-2-3-1, in the PSG match we switched at the end to 4-1-2-3 and against Swansea to 4-1-3-2. Might be looking at one of those two to be used next year. Maybe if we bring in or develop a player you can play both DM and AM we will be able to execute this within the match depending on how the games go. I liked the look of it today, though definitely the players need to get used to it. But as I said, I am purely speculating.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

I am speculating right now. But if I am not mistaken, Mourinho has demonstrated a glimpse of how our offensive formation might be next year. While we usually play with 4-2-3-1, in the PSG match we switched at the end to 4-1-2-3 and against Swansea to 4-1-3-2. Might be looking at one of those two to be used next year. Maybe if we bring in or develop a player you can play both DM and AM we will be able to execute this within the match depending on how the games go. I liked the look of it today, though definitely the players need to get used to it. But as I said, I am purely speculating.

We couldn't have done that before January with Ramires' style of play. Goes to show what Matic brings to the side's dynamics. He really is an animal.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

We couldn't have done that before January with Ramires' style of play. Goes to show what Matic brings to the side's dynamics. He really is an animal.

Luiz did a good job too in that position alone against PSG. Couldn't judge well since he played alone in the last 15 mins (if I am not mistaken). But Matic like you said is just fantastic.

[Jase 43,479]

He looked really pissed all game and just bolted off after the final whistle. No handshake. No media appearances too. Perhaps he was disappointed by the fact that we needed subs to overcome a 10 man Swansea. Again.

Not sure what is 'big' about that. Mourinho tends to go off early in games anyway and in this case, he only went off when the referee blew the final whistle. As for no handshake, how sure are you he didn't shake the Swansea's coaching staff hands? Unless you have a proof that he didn't, sounds as though you are just basing this off when the camera just cut to him walking down the tunnel when 1-2 minutes after the game was over. There is no reason for Mourinho not to shake hands and especially when he has said he always do it at the start and end of games.

[BloodIsBlue 291]

I am speculating right now. But if I am not mistaken, Mourinho has demonstrated a glimpse of how our offensive formation might be next year. While we usually play with 4-2-3-1, in the PSG match we switched at the end to 4-1-2-3 and against Swansea to 4-1-3-2. Might be looking at one of those two to be used next year. Maybe if we bring in or develop a player you can play both DM and AM we will be able to execute this within the match depending on how the games go. I liked the look of it today, though definitely the players need to get used to it. But as I said, I am purely speculating.

I honestly think he put on three 3 strikers to cover his ass and expose his 3 useless strikers, he won't do that very often. Way I'm seeing it is 4231, 4321 and our desperation move is 424. Nothing new, just your classic mourning formations that he is very loyal to. The way Mourinho demands we cover the opponents most teams force our 4231 into a 4321 anyways, here is an example from real Madrid where asking Ozil to do defensive work clearly morphs the formation into something that resembles a 4321.

4321 - Mourinho will never lose faith in the formation that beat Barca with 10 men in the UCL semi final.

424 (If you watch the Mourinho documentary he is teaching his 424 'S formation' with our old Chelsea squad)

The formation he is teaching those people is the his formation with two strikers.

[Mohammed Seif 1,451]

Y

I honestly think he put on three 3 strikers to cover his ass and expose his 3 useless strikers, he won't do that very often. We I'm seeing 4231, 4321 and our desperation move is 424. Nothing new, just your classic mourinho formations that is is very loyal to. The way Mourinho demands we cover the opponents most teams force our 4231 into a 4321 anyways, here is an example from real Madrid where asking Ozil to do defensive work clearly morphs the formation into something that resembles a 4321.

4321 - Mourinho will never lose faith in the formation that beat Barca with 10 men in the UCL semi final.

424 (If you watch the Mourinho documentary he is teaching his 424 'S formation' with our old Chelsea squad)

The formation he is teaching those people is the his formation with two strikers.

You might be correct. As I said I am just speculating. For two consecutive matches now when it was crucial for us to score, he had only 1 defensive midfielder/ pivot. That is how I came to that deduction. But it can be all just a coincidence. I agree Time will show

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Not sure what is 'big' about that. Mourinho tends to go off early in games anyway and in this case, he only went off when the referee blew the final whistle. As for no handshake, how sure are you he didn't shake the Swansea's coaching staff hands? Unless you have a proof that he didn't, sounds as though you are just basing this off when the camera just cut to him walking down the tunnel when 1-2 minutes after the game was over. There is no reason for Mourinho not to shake hands and especially when he has said he always do it at the start and end of games.

Garry Monk was asked about it in the post match interview and he said Mourinho didn't shake his hand, so I'm not speculating.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Are you suggesting we'll end the season by beating Cardiff 8-0 to win the title?

haha well that would be some ending to the season, I still remember watching that game...trashing wigan in 2010 That game boy...it realy was one of best I ever saw..oh the memories...

As they say, never say never...Its been too weird season, anything could happen.

BELIEVE!

[The Chels 2,502]

Garry Monk was asked about it in the post match interview and he said Mourinho didn't shake his hand, so I'm not speculating.

Probably because Monk was accusingly pointing at Mourinho whilst moaning to the fourth official after Chico Flores got sent off, presumably saying Mourinho influenced their decision. Not exactly the best way to treat someone you want to get managing tips off http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-boss-garry-monk-6943124

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Probably because Monk was accusingly pointing at Mourinho whilst moaning to the fourth official after Chico Flores got sent off, presumably saying Mourinho influenced their decision. Not exactly the best way to treat someone you want to get managing tips off http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/swansea-city-boss-garry-monk-6943124

Personally I could care less if Jose shook his hand or not.