Mourinho Targets Europa League Success Following Champions League Exit

Posted : 14 August 2024

José Mourinho expressed his frustration with the refereeing decisions that contributed to Fenerbahce's elimination from the Champions League, stating he "can't speak" about it. Mourinho believes that if the standards of officiating were better, his team could succeed in the Europa League, where they will now compete. Fenerbahce's Champions League hopes were dashed by a late penalty in the 118th minute, awarded to Lille after a video assistant referee (VAR) review determined a handball offense had occurred. Jonathan David converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1 for the match and securing a 3-2 aggregate victory for Lille in the third qualifying round.

Mourinho, who has a history of success in the Europa League, winning it with Manchester United in 2017 and its previous version, the UEFA Cup, with Porto in 2003, commented on the team's prospects in the upcoming tournament. "We would never win the Champions League. We would never reach the Champions League final. Never," Mourinho said. He expressed optimism about their chances in the Europa League, saying, "If - if - I don't want to say the rest. I prefer to stay on the ifs." Fenerbahce had managed to push the game into extra time in Istanbul after Bafode Diakite scored an own goal in injury time before David's decisive penalty.

Mourinho elaborated on the team's Europa League potential, saying, "If we can do a great Europa League. If, if, if. But we can do a great Europa League with if. I can't speak more than the if. If not, I am in trouble." He referenced his previous experience in the 2023 Europa League final with Roma, where he was involved in a heated exchange with referee Anthony Taylor following the match against Sevilla. "If you want to know more about the ifs, I invite you to watch Roma-Sevilla in the Europa League final 2022-23, and you will understand the ifs," Mourinho added.

Mourinho's remarks echo a similar interview from his second tenure at Chelsea in 2014, after a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in which two of his players were sent off. He stated at the time, "I prefer not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble. In big trouble. And I don't want to be in big trouble." Mourinho took charge of Fenerbahce in June after his dismissal from Roma in January, and his comments suggest a continued wariness of discussing officiating decisions in detail, possibly to avoid further sanctions or penalties from governing bodies.

Mourinho Targets Europa League Success Following Champions League Exit

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