Mourinho: I was disappointed with Costa, but we made up

Mark Holmes
Jose Mourinho: Manchester United said to have made their move

Jose Mourinho: Manchester United said to have made their move

Jose Mourinho was disappointed by Diego Costa’s failure to make a run during the first half of Chelsea’s win at Maccabi Tel Aviv but kissed and made up with the striker at half-time.

Mourinho yelled at Costa, who shouted and gesticulated back, after he failed to support an attack led by Eden Hazard, before the striker chased Mourinho into the tunnel to seemingly continue the argument at half-time.

However, Costa completed the match, and Mourinho quickly denied any talk of any lasting damage after the game.

“I wanted him to do a certain movement that he didn’t,” said Mourinho.

“I was disappointed. I reacted. He reacted too. At half-time in the dressing room a few kisses and a few cuddles. No problem”

While Costa completed the match, Hazard did not, substituted as Mourinho sought fresh legs with which to attack Maccabi.

“I did the change because I have Pedro,” Mourinho said.

Porto’s home loss to Dynamo Kiev means progression from Group G is by no means certain for Chelsea, who beat Norwich last Saturday and host Mourinho’s former side on December 9.

A draw should be enough for the Blues to advance to the knockout stages, but Mourinho wants a win.

“I need a calculator,” Mourinho said.

“I know if we win we finish first. I know if we lose we are going to Europa League. With the draw I don’t know.

“I prefer to think we have to win our match and that’s it.”

Maccabi deserved more – Mourinho

Mourinho was happy with the first-half display 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 said.

“I think we played better matches 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.”

Mourinho was asked by the Israeli media about his future but seems confident Chelsea are through the worst after a miserable start to the season.

Spurs will provide a major test, with Mauricio Pochettino labelling the noon kick-off time, so soon after his side’s Europa League match in Azerbaijan, a “joke”.

Mourinho said: “Every time I have a view I am in trouble, so I don’t have a view.”

The Blues boss was also asked about comments made by Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore, who expressed a preference for new champions each season.

“To Mr Scudamore’s words, I just laugh,” Mourinho said.

Maccabi Tel Aviv boss Slavisa Jokanovic said his side were better than in the return contest in London, when Chelsea also won 1-0, but having Ben Haim sent off was challenging.

“It’s very complicated 11 against 11 against Chelsea,” Jokanovic said.

“Many minutes with one player less is complicated for us. It can be a more important decision in the game.

“I believe we improved. At the end they scored three goals from set-pieces.”