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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has played down a spat with his player Diego Costa during Chelsea’s 4-0 over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Tuesday night, as per reports on BBC Sport. Mourinho has insisted that he and his striker made up with ‘kisses and cuddles’ during the half-time interval.
The English champions recorded a stunning victory against the Israeli champions on their home turf courtesy of goals from Gary Cahill, Willian, Oscar and Kurt Zouma. With that win, Chelsea now move up to the top of Group G, ahead of FC Porto by goal difference and in pole position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Not only did the Portuguese tactician complain about the state of the playing surface, but he was also involved in a confrontation with one of his own players during the match.
Mourinho and the Brazillian-born Spanish striker were seen arguing just before the half-time interval and captain John Terry had to restrain the latter, as tensions were running high between the two. The former Real Madrid boss then sent the backup striker Loic Remy to warm up. The Blues were leading 1-0 at that point thanks to Cahill's goal.
However, the 52-year-old decided to keep the Spain international on the pitch for the full ninety minutes as the West London club cruised to a stunning victory in Israel, and Mourinho has explained the whole incident in the post-match interview, insisting that he failed to react to a chance.
“I wanted him to do a certain movement that he didn't,” he explained of the striker, who ended a six-match scoreless run against Norwich at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
“I was disappointed. I reacted. He reacted too.”
“At half-time in the dressing room - a few kisses and a few cuddles.”
Mourinho happy with his side’s display
Mourinho has admitted he was delighted with his team’s display in the first half but felt the scoreline flattered his side.
“In the first half I could feel only the bad pitch stopped us from playing even better when we reached the last third,” he added.
“I think we played better matches than today, but we lost. In the second half in the first 15, 20 minutes, I think we slept.”
“We were too confident, we were waiting for the second goal to come. Only when we felt that we were in danger we had again a good reaction.”
“Maccabi deserved something more than what they got.”
