Mourinho Hasn't A Leg To Stand On

If the self-proclaimed 'special one' has his way, then the fallout from the Champions League encounter between Chelsea and Barcelona, played in Stamford Bridge last night, may will stretch right on until the end of the season. José Mourinho lambasted Barca's Lionel Messi for his reaction to being nearly decapitated by a rash challenge from Chelsea's Spanish left-back, Asier Del Horno, in the first half of last night's gripping encounter. Down to 10 men for much of the game Chelsea battled bravely and even took the lead, somewhat fortuitously, before being taught a football lesson from the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Carlos Puyol.

José is no fool. His after-match comments about Messi and his apparent play-acting, were meant to deflect attention away from the fact that Barcelona played his side off the park. Had the visiting Catalans taken half of the chances that came their way, Chelsea could have been beaten by a much wider margin and would have had little argument. I can't help thinking the Chelsea manager must have hoped the media and tabloids in Britain would back him up and concentrate on the fact the referee might have made a huge error in sending Del Horno off and that it was this incident that cost Chelsea the game. Thankfully, on this occasion at least, the British hacks were having none of it with most, if not all of the main newspapers correctly suggesting that Barcelona outplayed the home side and deserved their win.


As for the television coverage of last night's game, well all I can say is thank God for RTE. There is nothing like a dose of reality which the three wise men and 'Okey Doke' himself on the panel, regularly dish out, when analyzing the Champions League. For example, when asked by Bill-O, for his reaction to the Chelsea managers comments, the caustic Liam Brady (and Arsenal employee) simply answered: "Mourinho should be ridiculed for making those comments. Ridiculed" and followed that by saying that it was "Pathetic. He's pathetic". Eamon Dunphy said:" his comments were nothing more than a smoke screen to hide the Chelsea performance." Finally, the redoubtable Gilesy quipped:" It's a smokescreen Bill. Eamon's right. Chelsea took a proper hiding tonight, by a team who play a higher class of football than Chelsea ever could".

Compare that reasoned reaction to the utter rubbish spilled out on to the screen by the Sky Sports Champions League panel. The 'pundits' comprised of Walter Smith, Glenn Hoddle and Jamie Redknapp. I won't waste time recounting their pathetic attempts to try and justify the claim that Del Horno should have been booked and the fact that Chelsea were 'unlucky on the night'. Anyone who has bothered to watch Barcelona in the Primera Liga this season will tell you just how consistent their form has been and some of the football being played at the Nou Camp is amongst the best I have ever seen. They were deserving winners and no sending off can change that fact. The triple strike-force of Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Messi were dazzling to watch and Chelsea had nothing to counter-act the Catalans with, apart from the occasional dangerous run / effort on goal from Hernan Crespo.

So just where does last night's result leave Chelsea and it 'special' manger? With the vast sums of money that has been spent on their current squad, Chelsea should expect to be winning domestic trophies on a regular basis, such is the poor quality of opposition they face, week in, week out, in the Premiership. But I would imagine Mr. Abramovich expects much more of a return from his huge investment and may not tolerate continued european failure. There are plenty of other potential managerial candidates out there hould Chelsea wish to look beyond the 'special one'. Successful, experienced managers such as Fabio Capello, Otmar Hitzfeld and even Frank Rijkaard(!) to name but a few, may well be tempted to join the blue's with their open cheque book and a chance to manage in the Premiership. José would do well to limit his smart comments - after a defeat such as last night's - to a minimum and concentrate on making Chelsea a force in europe, sooner, rather than later.

I feel Chelsea will be deserving domestic champions this season, but will continue to struggle against the cream of european talent in the Champions League for some time to come. Until they manage to purchase a better quality international striker (Adriano, Shevchenko etc.) and their manager refuses to engage in silly 'mind games' after a defeat, I fear this Chelsea side may go down in history as one that dominated domestically, failed on the European stage and is primarily remembered for it's outspoken manager.

I just wonder about the vast investment from Chelsea's Russian billionaire and how much of his patience is wearing thin with his current manager's antics?