The Portuguese manager refuted claims that he is aiming for a Europa League finish in order to have a more realistic chance of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League. This is mainly because the Blues have slim chances of finishing top four in the BPL, which usually guarantees qualification for the next UEFA Champions League.
Interestingly, the West Londoners are set to face Mourinho’s former side FC Porto in a match they badly need to win to increase their chances of qualification. If they lose the match and Dynamo Kiev beats Maccabi Tel Aviv, the English giants risk crashing out of the tournament.
Current Group G standings
However, the 52-year-old experienced tactician wants his players to focus on the Champions League and ignore Europa League prospects. During a pre-match press briefing, he explained:
"I know that in this moment, it looks that to win the Europa League would be an easier way to be in the Champions League next season than to finish in the top four.
"But there is another possibility, which is to win the Champions League. Yes, it is harder than winning the Europa League, but this is the competition where we are.’’
"I was always against the teams that are knocked out of the Champions League going to the Europa League because I think there is such a difference in the level of competition.’’
"It is not fair for the teams that are in the Europa League to do the group phase then in February to get the teams that are knocked out of the Champions League.’’
"I think if you are knocked out of the Champions League, you should go home and focus on domestic competitions.’’
"We want to play Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern - we want to play all the big teams and for that we need to win on Wednesday."
He added:
"As a manager I think makes me better, because it is the first time for me.
"It is a new experience, something I was not used to. I never thought I would be so strong and so highly motivated to another defeat and the next morning I wake up again with even more desire to go and work.’’
"So it made me know myself a little bit better than before. I found myself stronger than I thought because when you win all the time it is a wonderful life. When you have bad results it is more difficult and I found myself really strong – it is a good experience."
