Jose Mourinho says Chelsea's quest to win four trophies
this season could play into Liverpool's hands when they meet in an
all-English Champions League semi-final later this month. Mourinho,
who shook hands and spoke with with owner Roman Abramovich -
signalling a possible thaw in their reportedly frosty relationship
- after Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win over Blackburn Rovers,
believes Liverpool can concentrate solely on their European
meeting.
Chelsea, with the League Cup already secured, are battling on three
fronts and are desperate to retain their Premier League title,
trailing leaders Manchester United with six games remaining. They
host United at Stamford Bridge in the league on May 9 and play them
again in the FA Cup final on May 19. "One of my assistants went to
watch Liverpool on Saturday and he left after 60 minutes because it
was like a testimonial match," Mourinho told reporters. "And he saw
the Champions League game against PSV and it was no different. It
is clear they are preparing for the Champions League
semi-final.
"But at Chelsea, after two hours of playing Blackburn we have a
game with West Ham in two days we have to win and another one at
Newcastle this weekend we also have to win. "This is what we fight
for though - to be in this position. We can't complain about it."
Mourinho said Alex Ferguson had predicted a possible meeting
between his Manchester United team and Chelsea in the Champions
League final when they met in November.
"I met Sir Alex Ferguson at a charity dinner when he invited me,"
he added.
"He was telling me he thought it would be an all-English final in
the Champions League and I told him I believed him. "Now if we both
get there it will be the cherry on the cake. It would be
magnificent."
The Portuguese says he has the utmost respect for Ferguson.
"We can't be happy when one succeeds and one fails," he said.
"Of course we want to win, but we respect each other."