José Mourinho criticized Benfica’s performance in the 3-1 defeat against Sp. Braga, this Wednesday, in the semi-final of the League Cup. He left internal messages about the players’ mentality.
«How did I approach the game? Like everyone. I did something after the game that I don’t normally do, which is talk after the game. Obviously, I didn’t see any receptivity to dialogue in the locker room. It turned out to be a monologue. I don’t want to believe that a Benfica player is nervous about playing in the Allianz Cup semi-final, otherwise he wouldn’t be a Benfica player. In the same way, I also don’t want to believe that we took the game too lightly.”
A “wreck” for the players?
«Do you think I killed it? Did I criticize too much? How do I convince players after defeat? I don’t think I have to convince. It’s about working to the fullest of our potential. That was not the intention to destroy players. If I praised you, you’d say I was choné, I don’t sell Carochinha stories. I try to be honest.”
Unacceptable performance from Manu Silva?
“No. Manu had one of the most serious injuries in football. He was in the process of gradual growth. He played a game against Farense, then against Estoril, at home, where we had little rush, a lot of ball possession. We knew there was some risk with Manu, not through his own fault but because of his situation. I wasn’t referring to him, I confess that we were stronger without Manu, but it wasn’t because of him that we had such a poor first half.”
