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Mourinho Starts Mind Games With United
Mourinho's New Year's resolution appears to be to goad opposition managers even more in 2009.
Jan 2, 2009 6:49:26 AM
There's the business of the January transfer window to deal with first, but Inter's flamboyant tactician Jose Mourinho is already looking ahead to February and the resumption of the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri have been handed an unenviable, although mouthwatering, last 16 tie with holders Manchester United.
Now, the former Chelsea boss is turning up the heat on old foe Sir Alex Ferguson, telling the Gazzetta dello Sport that the Serie A giants will be in good shape for the two-legged clash.
Mourinho said: "In February the real Champions League starts and I believe that at the end of February Inter will be better than they were at the end of 2008.
"I really wanted Manchester United because I don't see any great difference between them Bayern, Liverpool or Barcelona. I like pressure and emotion, so these win-or-die games, playing against the Champions of the world, are perfect for me.
"I already have an idea of how I will play against Manchester at home and then, at Old Trafford, the objective will be to take the team to another level of play."
United's season rolls on full throttle until the Inter meeting, whereas the Italians will be kicking their heels. Still, 'The Special One' isn't concerned.
He added: "Before playing us United haven't got any tough games, so we won't be under prepared."
Again slamming Wayne Rooney for the apparent stamp on Aalborg's Kasper Risgard which went unpunished recently, Jose seethed: "I don't like the fact that in football there are different standards. I was amazed that Rooney was not suspended."
One suspects that Mourinho has a bulging script of further verbal rallies which will be directed at Fergie before the high-pressure fixtures are upon us.
--Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com
The Nerazzurri have been handed an unenviable, although mouthwatering, last 16 tie with holders Manchester United.
Now, the former Chelsea boss is turning up the heat on old foe Sir Alex Ferguson, telling the Gazzetta dello Sport that the Serie A giants will be in good shape for the two-legged clash.
Mourinho said: "In February the real Champions League starts and I believe that at the end of February Inter will be better than they were at the end of 2008.
"I really wanted Manchester United because I don't see any great difference between them Bayern, Liverpool or Barcelona. I like pressure and emotion, so these win-or-die games, playing against the Champions of the world, are perfect for me.
"I already have an idea of how I will play against Manchester at home and then, at Old Trafford, the objective will be to take the team to another level of play."
United's season rolls on full throttle until the Inter meeting, whereas the Italians will be kicking their heels. Still, 'The Special One' isn't concerned.
He added: "Before playing us United haven't got any tough games, so we won't be under prepared."
Again slamming Wayne Rooney for the apparent stamp on Aalborg's Kasper Risgard which went unpunished recently, Jose seethed: "I don't like the fact that in football there are different standards. I was amazed that Rooney was not suspended."
One suspects that Mourinho has a bulging script of further verbal rallies which will be directed at Fergie before the high-pressure fixtures are upon us.
--Greg Ptolomey, Goal.com
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