Former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho has predicted the outcome of Champions League semi-final second leg matches between Liverpool and Barcelona, as well as Tottenham and Ajax.
Liverpool were beaten 3-0 by Barcelona on Wednesday night, a day after Ajax beat Tottenham in London.
During the game at Camp Nou, Liverpool spurned several good opportunities to notch an away goal in Spain and Mourinho said their failure to do so will ultimately cost them.
Mourinho said, “When the result was 2-0, I was still thinking it’s open,” according to Manchester Evening News.
“When they missed that late chance for the 3-1, I would say open, but 3-0 is 3-0.
“It’s hard to believe and Barcelona have an incredibly negative experience with Roma recently.
“I know that Liverpool at Anfield is really hard, the team is good, but if Barcelona score one goal, they have to concede five
“I think it’s too much and I think the team (Barcelona) is with that appetite. I think Messi is dragging everybody with him for that appetite to make it happen. I think Barcelona has it.”
The Portuguese said the other semi-final between Tottenham and Ajax tougher to call.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are already trailing by a single goal going into next week’s second leg in Amsterdam.
“It’s really, really hard [to call],” Mourinho added.
“Looking to the history of the Champions League, Ajax are better away than at home, three victories in England, Spain and Italy, they played against the top countries, even against Benfica, nothing was easy for them and they were magnificent .
“At home, as I was saying, they have their style of play but so do Tottenham and I think Tottenham knows that they also can [progress].
“To play without [Harry] Kane is difficult, to play without Kane and Son [Heung-min] at the same time is even more difficult and next time at least Son is there.
“He is an aggressive player, he’s fast, he has transitions and he can hurt people so the game is open.”
댓글