Jose Mourinho says his team selection was about “taking in information” on Tottenham Hotspur’s depth, and he wasn’t terribly bothered by Bayern Munich’s 3-1 win in Germany.
The Spurs boss, however, says the seeded teams in Monday’s UEFA Champions League draw should be terribly bothered at the concept of drawing the reigning finalists.
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“I think from the teams that finished second, I think the teams that finish first they wish they don’t play against us,” he said, via Football.London.
Mourinho said he thinks the 3-2 score line that could’ve arrived had Heung-min Son not been denied by Manuel Neuer would’ve been a more fair representation of the match, with both sides leaving out key players but Bayern’s side decidedly stronger.
And he hopes Spurs supporters will forgive him leaving Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen, and Dele Alli behind after a big win at the weekend.
“The fact we played so well the last time, 5-0, allowed me to come here and risk what happened. I’m happy with the decisions I made and I hope the supporters understand what I did. Internally we understand.”
Say what you will about Mou, and he’s lost his share of elimination games, but his acumen will have the opposition more worried than his players (and that’s even with the knowledge that the majority are former finalists).
He’s not wrong.