The Chelsea manager has played down any chance of him snubbing the
former Real Madrid goalkeeper in their Champions League tie with Porto
on TuesdayJose Mourinho claims he will "salute" Iker Casillas in Tuesday's Champions League clash between Chelsea and Porto, in which the goalkeeper will become the competition's record appearance holder
The coach is renowned for having feuded with Casillas behind the scenes in his final season at Real Madrid, in which there were allegations that his captain was leaking team news to media ahead of games.
Despite their past differences, Mourinho says there will be no bad blood between him and the Spain international - who swapped Madrid for Porto this summer - at the Estadio do Dragao.
"I know what you're asking," the Portuguese coach said when a Spanish reporter began asking a question regarding the veteran shot-stopper, who is set to play for a record 152nd time in the Champions League.
"I'll salute Casillas tomorrow. There's no point wasting time discussing it."
Mourinho ignited his managerial career at Porto just over a decade ago when he won the Uefa Cup followed by the Champions League and he praised Julen Lopetegui's men - who reached the last eight of the Champions League last season - for their quality squad.
"The fact Porto are top of the Portuguese league is totally normal because of the quality of their squad," he continued. "Away games in the Champions League are always difficult.
"Porto are a big side and want to win, but they also know we are not a weak team."
Mourinho added that everybody in his squad is fit and ready to play against Porto aside from injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 in their opening group stage game of the campaign and followed that up with a 2-0 win at Arsenal, but their early-season struggles continued on Saturday when they 2-2 with Newcastle United.
The coach is renowned for having feuded with Casillas behind the scenes in his final season at Real Madrid, in which there were allegations that his captain was leaking team news to media ahead of games.
Despite their past differences, Mourinho says there will be no bad blood between him and the Spain international - who swapped Madrid for Porto this summer - at the Estadio do Dragao.
"I know what you're asking," the Portuguese coach said when a Spanish reporter began asking a question regarding the veteran shot-stopper, who is set to play for a record 152nd time in the Champions League.
"I'll salute Casillas tomorrow. There's no point wasting time discussing it."
Mourinho ignited his managerial career at Porto just over a decade ago when he won the Uefa Cup followed by the Champions League and he praised Julen Lopetegui's men - who reached the last eight of the Champions League last season - for their quality squad.
"The fact Porto are top of the Portuguese league is totally normal because of the quality of their squad," he continued. "Away games in the Champions League are always difficult.
"Porto are a big side and want to win, but they also know we are not a weak team."
Mourinho added that everybody in his squad is fit and ready to play against Porto aside from injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 in their opening group stage game of the campaign and followed that up with a 2-0 win at Arsenal, but their early-season struggles continued on Saturday when they 2-2 with Newcastle United.
No comments:
Post a Comment