Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho hit back at what could be perceived as a slight on his tactics from his own player, Eden Hazard, following Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid inthe UEFA Champions League semifinal second-leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Hazard, who has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, had said that Chelsea“aren’t set-up to play football” in a TV interview. Mourinho on Friday responded by saying that there wasn’t anything deliberately malicious about what his player had said,although he went on to suggest that the Belgium international probably doesn’t realize that he was at fault for Atletico’s first goal, scored by Adrian.
“I listened to theinterview. There was nothing critical in what he said,” Mourinho said. “When the comments come from a player like Eden it’s normal because he’s not the kind of player to sacrifice himselffor the team. Normally you get these kind of comments from players like him, from players that can’t resolve a problem like we had in the first goal.” He added: “Eden is the kind of playerthat is not so mentally ready to look back to his left back and to leave his life for him. If you see the first goal of Atlético you completely understand where the mistake was and why weconceded that goal. The perfect team at the top level cannot make these kinds of mistakes.”
The Portuguese continued: “Normally in this game if you go to halftime winning 1-0 the game isanother game because Atlético has to chase the game.” While Hazard has been praised for his defensive qualities this season, Mourinho insists he still has work to do. “I’m not happy,” he said.”I speak all season and I try to improve him all season.”