Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was magnanimous in defeat after his side lost their Champions League semifinal following a 3-1 defeat against Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho is rarely complimentary of his opponents after a defeat of
this magnitude, but the Portuguese showed real humility as he offered
warm compliments to Diego Simeone and his Atletico team as they sealed a
meeting with local rivals Real Madrid in next month’s Lisbon final.
“Congratulations to them,” declared Mourinho, in an interview with Sky
Sports. “They are a very good side and what they are doing also in the
Spanish league is fantastic. I hope it’s a good final.
"If both teams are there it is because they deserve to be there.
Sometimes in the Champions League we see things that happen and you ask
why, but it looks for me that this season it is normal. Real beat Bayern
deservedly, Atletico deserve to win here too. I hope they enjoy it and I
hope it’s a good game.”
Mourinho’s honest assessment of a semifinal that went away from his
side following a second half penalty