Mourinho pre match video statement (skysports)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid29318049001?bctid=81573427001

Mourinho on Barcelona - Inter second semifinal match at Camp Nou

Mourinho Statements after the Barcelona - Inter Match 28.04.2010.

I'd have to say right now that this is better than winning the Champions League. Today it was a match in which I couldn't play, because I would have left my blood.

Barcelona expected to win. They have had an incredible surprise at the San Siro. Then we understood they had fear.

When Thiago Motta was sent off, we had to change the scheme again. Obviously to reach the final it was down to who wants it more.

With Chelsea supporters I had empathy, but I have more of this with Inter's. I respect Italian football, but I'm not in love with it. In the difficult moments of the game I felt our supporters were there.

I guarantee that next year I'll be here. I always play against Barcelona, and always something happens. It's nothing new for me. I want to see our supporters welcoming us at the airport.

The refereeing? I don't want to judge. I said before the game that when players help the referee, it can have a positive reaction. When they make things difficult for him then there are problems, and this evening someone tried to complicate his job.

Mourinho on Barcelona ( second leg 28.04.2010 )

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho claims that Barcelona have become carried away with the chance of winning the Champions League at the Bernabeu, the stadium of their arch-rivals Real Madrid.

The Italian side came out on top in the first-leg of the semi-final clash but the Barcelona team are convinced that they can overturn the 3-1 score line at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

After their win against Xerez in La Liga at the weekend, the players wore t-shirts encouraging fans to back them ahead of the Inter match.

From the start of this season's European campaign the ambition at the Catalan club has been greater than ever to win this tournament with the final in Madrid.

"We have a team of older players, with many over 30, and we hope that we will be able to cope with the atmosphere. It is one thing, though, to follow a dream and it is another to have an obsession. For Barça it is an obsession," said Mourinho, speaking at a packed pre-match press conference.

The Portuguese coach was in typically belligerent mood, refusing to speak in Spanish to journalists and playing on Barcelona's rivalry with Real Madrid.

An indication of the high tensions was that Inter felt the need for a bodyguard to accompany Mourinho.

"A dream is more pure than an obsession, an obsession is more about pride. Barça achieved a dream winning the Champions League in Paris and Rome last year but this time it is more about Madrid and playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, this is an obsession.

"I experienced what it is like here, I have won cups - against Betis in 1997 - at the Bernabeu, where everyone was wrapped in Catalan flags I know what it is about, it is anti-Madridismo. It is an obsession.

"I can't say for me it is a personal dream (to win the Champions League) as I have won it before but I want to win it for Inter as it is more than 40 years since they got to the final.

"If I can help Mr Moratti (the Inter president), if I can help the players and if I can contribute a little bit as coach to achieve this dream then I would be very happy."

Inter will be without the suspended Dejan Stankovic but it appears that Mourinho is ready to gamble on Wesley Sneijder who has a slight thigh strain.

"We will see if he can play for 90 minutes as there is still a small problem. We have other important games in the league but I am ready to risk him as everything will be decided tomorrow," said Mourinho.

"There are 90 minutes still to be played and history is full of comebacks, it is easy to score three quick goals especially for a side like Barça," said Mourinho.

A lot of pressure has been put on the referee ahead of the match with Barca players claiming they were unfairly muscled out of the game at the San Siro. Inter midfielder Thiago Motta turned the attack on the Barca players accusing them of cheating.

"This is a very important match and I suppose they (Barcelona) are doing what they can to win the game but we are relaxed. We will try and play clean football but we are accustomed to seeing Barca players diving and so we hope that the referee does his job well. It is not only Barça that need to worry," he said.

"We know how Inter will play. They will look for space and attack and so we can't give them space. We have to help the referee as well so that it is easier for him."

God, football and Jose Mourinho!

Jose Mourinho To Replace Sir Alex Ferguson As Manchester United Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson will leave Manchester United after next season and Inter  manager Jose Mourinho will be the one that replaces him.

The Scotland native could end his legendary managerial run at Old Trafford after what would be his 25th season with United.

Ferguson, who will turn 69 in December, took United in November of 1986 and has enjoyed immense success, winning 11 Premier League titles and the Champions League twice during his time with the Red Devils.

With Ferguson set to step down United have already lined up a successor in Mourinho, according to the Daily Star.

The former Chelsea manager led Inter to a Serie A title last year and into the semi-finals of the Champions League so far this year, but the Portuguese has been yearning to return to the Premier League.

Ferguson and his United squad currently sit one point behind Chelsea with four games remaining. Should the Red Devils win another Premier League title this season it would mark Ferguson’s 12th with the club and his 19th trophy overall.