CHELSEA MANAGER JOSE Mourinho believes there is a huge difference between the Premier League and La Liga.
Mourinho, who won one La Liga title and a Copa del Rey during his three years in charge of Madrid, is adamant that the Premier League remains the most demanding competition in Europe.
The 52-year-old believes Barcelona and Real Madrid only play four or five tough matches per season and would find it much more difficult to win the Premier League.
“I was in Spain, but I didn’t enjoy it,” he told TalkSPORT. “I didn’t enjoy it because I won a title with a record in Spain with 100 points and 121 goals, but we played only three or four matches all season.
“I lost a title with 92 points, but again we played only four or five matches in a season.
“You feel the pressure that you have to win every match because if you don’t you are not champions. You have to win and win and win. But it is a big, big gap between the giants and the others.”
Mourinho said that while managers in Spain and Italy can rotate their squads ahead of their four or five big games, that isn’t possible in the Premier League because the teams at the bottom of league are far more competitive. The Portuguese manager used Chelsea’s 4-2 defeat by League One club Bradford City in the FA Cup back in January as an example.
“In matches in other countries you can win matches when you are resting. In Spain and in Italy, I won lots of matching resting. Where you can think, ‘what next’. Where you can think which European game is coming, where you can rest players.”
“This season I rested a few players against Bradford and I lost against Bradford. And that is English football. You are winning 2-0 and you concede a goal you know you are going to have hell for the last few minutes and you might draw 2-2 and lose two points,” he said.
“This is the reality of the Premier League. You have no time. It’s not just about the number of matches, it’s the intensity. And it’s not just physical intensity, you feel the intensity mentally.
“I think the difference between the two leagues [Premier League and La Liga] is huge. Would they [Barcelona and Real Madrid] win the Premier League? Maybe yes. Maybe not.”
Mourinho’s comments come after West Brom upset Chelsea 3-0 last night at The Hawthorns after Cesc Fabregas was sent off.
Do you agree with Mourinho?
And the hillsbourogh chants are just banter? Both sides have their elements
Bitter Man U fans as usual…..can’t take a beating.
They are disgraceful
Haha not bitter at all. Thats football, sometimes you lose. I dont know any united fan that wouldnt have taken a draw today. Disappointing to lose but so be it. Roll on the 11th, a chance to e even things up.
Which is exactly why I said both sides. But don’t let that get in the way I saying it’s just scousers it’s the football fan mentality in England where they don’t know when to cross the line
Two cups for the ‘Pool? (while the Mancs enjoy Thursday night football and battle it out for top spot). Progress at least.
Carling cup is there only chance at this moment in time, beating a very weak united team is nothing to be proud of
As gracious in defeat as ever….ah well suppose it’s better than the 3 united fans arrested for spitting at the Hillsborough Memorial today
I’m not even a utd fan. I’m just making a point that Liverpool weren’t playing against a good utd team. No Rooney, Vidic, Ferdinand, or an established right back. Not to mention a 37 and 38 year old in midfield.
To be fair though Conor Liverpool were missing Lucas and Suarez as well arguably their two most influential players
top notch defensive and attacking performance by liverpool also though. Carroll hasn’t been the best but played well today
I think Sir Alex is adding a bit of heat to the game by putting Patrice Evra as captain.
Huh? He is regulary Manchester Uniteds captain. Why would today be any different?
The ‘One Lying bastard’ chant sums thrm up perfectly. Klanfield indeed.
I hear ‘without killing anyone’ nothing about hillsborough. Its a reference to Heysel. Remember that one?
And no Ice on the Runway today from the Kop?
Cant believe KKK went with Caroll over Bellamy, Bellamy is about 10 times the player & 20 times more dangerous than Caroll.
United by far the best team in the first half,should never have let in a goal that soft. Id have stuck with Lindegaard.
Great atmosphere to be fair.loving the ‘always the victims,never your fault’ song.
Bellamy’s knees are knackered. Not supposed to play for 90 mins even oncce a week and had two games already this week. Should be on for Maxi, 2nd half. Bad as Carroll is he’ll make a nuisance of himself for United’s defence and keeper and good for the odd nod down.
Good goal from Kuyt. Evra caught out & DDG bad yet again.
Looked offside to me
Can you be offside from a goal kick, let me ask you?
Thanks Paul. I’m a Mayo man meself but I’ll take ur interesting and original thought onboard.
2.1
Tired or not Bellamy has to start 2nd half instead of Maxi. Adam and Johnson for Henderson and Downing, Johnson to play right wing. No point in hesitating with the changes Kenny.Stream has gone so can’t see 2nd half!