Jose
Mourinho insists he feels ‘sad’ after Chelsea were the only Premier League
side to taste victory in the opening group games of the Champions League.
Chelsea beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 at Stamford Bridge to get their campaign
off to the perfect start but Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City
all suffered defeats in their respective games.
It's the first time three Premier League teams have suffered losses in their
opening group games in the history of the Champions League and Mourinho
thinks it is bad news for the English game.
"It's sad," the Chelsea boss said. "I think it's bad. I'm not happy with
that.
"I want Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal to lose in the
Premier League. I don't want them to lose in the Champions League so it's
not good for us.
"Season after season it's difficult for English teams to be successful and
to start the group phase, where you can make 12 points, and out of the 12
points you make only three, it's bad news for English football."
Mourinho was much happier in terms of his own side's performance as they
eased past Maccabi Tel Aviv thanks to goals from Willian, Oscar, Diego Costa
and Cesc Fabregas.
Chelsea came into the game on the back of two defeats in the Premier League
and Mourinho was delighted to have the winning feeling again.
"I forgot the feeling [of winning]," Moruinho said. "After not winning in so
long it felt good.
"The penalty we missed was a big test for us because when everything goes
against you like red cards, penalties, injuries, decisions and you start a
game that you have to win missing a penalty, I think it's a great test of
the character of the players and the team.
"It was good that we had an extra negative episode and the reaction was very
good. I'm happy with the performance and with the result."
Chelsea face Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime and Mourinho admitted the victory
- which leaves them well placed in Group G - is a huge boost of confidence
for his side ahead of the Premier league clash.
He added: "For all of us to have woken up tomorrow and go to Cobham and
train again after a defeat and two days before a London derby against
Arsenal, I could imagine how it would feel.
"The victory is very important. In the last two seasons we didn't start well
in the Champions League at home. We lost to Basel and we drew against
Schalke.
"We put ourselves in a situation where we had to go away and win points on
the road. In this moment these three points, plus Porto drawing with Dynamo
Kiev, give us a good situation."
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