Jose Mourinho has spoken again about the historic Champions League clash in 2010 against Barcelona. The former Nerazzurri coach gave a lengthy interview for the Netflix documentary dedicated to him, revealing behind-the-scenes stories and details of that unforgettable night.
“Barcelona was cunning and then they had Messi: he scored goals as easily as drinking water,” Mourinho began. “At the time, away goals counted double: that’s why two goals in the return leg would have been enough. That’s why they created a hostile atmosphere towards me. The pressure was unbearable. If it was already tough with 11, with 10 for an hour everyone thought we were done for.”
The Portuguese coach then revealed what he actually said to Pep Guardiola while he was talking to Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “Winning like this is easy, but you won’t win.” A moment that testified to the extreme tension of that match.
“If I had to choose the most emotional halftime of my career, I would choose that one,” Mourinho continued. “I talked about our families, our children, the fans, history, and becoming legends: a speech that came straight from the heart.”
His words had a clear effect on the team: “I saw the boys come back onto the pitch with teary eyes: they gave everything, it wasn’t about playing football but about resisting a siege. Football is tribal: you suffer and you give everything.”
Mourinho also recalled the moment of Bojan’s goal: “When Barcelona scored with Bojan I thought it was over. Getting through that round was like winning the final: it was the most beautiful defeat of my career.”
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