Mourinho defiant after 3-1 loss to Rangers as he argues Tie not over. It was a total disappointment in Turkey, yesterday, as Fenerbahce lost their Europa League last-16 first-leg tie to Rangers in a match perceived to be a statement.
Last night, Fernabache Head Coach Jose Mourinho appears unshaken following his team’s loss at home in the Europa League first-leg tie against Rangers
During the post-match conference last that he expects his team to overturn the deficit and come out victorious after their second-leg tie in Scotland.
Mourinho, who has previously managed clubs at top levels−FC Porto, Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, AS Roma−was humbled, in front of his home fans last night in a match believed to be one of the worst-home game overseen by the Portuguese.
He enjoyed successes at top levels. First coach to win Europa League and UEFA Champions League in two years. After his first stellar stint at Chelsea, he was nicknamed “the Special One.”
Mourinho Defiant After 3-1 Loss To Rangers
According to the interview, Mourinho said: “We were very bad everywhere. I think it’s not fair to say we were very bad in defense, because we were very bad everywhere. Maybe you laugh, but for me it was a good result because the way we performed the result could have been bigger. We deserve the punishment of this result.”
The Portuguese coach appeared to fall asleep during the post-match conference after being asked a long question following Fenerbahce’s Europa League loss to Rangers.
The enigmatic coach described his team’s surprising 3-1 Europa League loss to Rangers as “a good result” but adamant that their Europa League journey this season will not end in the last-16 stage.
Fenerbahce were drowned by Vaclav Cerny’s double following Cyriel Dessers’ opener recorded yet another popular continental win but brought an abrupt end to Fenerbahce’s 18-match unbeaten streak.
Barry Ferguson, Rangers interim boss, and his team have two-goal advantage going into the second-leg of the tie at Ibrox Stadium, Rangers home, in the next two weeks.
Mourinho lamented lackluster performance of his team and they fell flat to 3-1 defeat to Rangers on their home soil, but insisted that his side still have a chance to make it all the way to the quarter-finals of the competition.
He remained insistent that his shabby-looking side still have all to play for in at Rangers to guarantee their progress to the quarter-finals.
“We were very bad everywhere. I think it’s not fair to say we were very bad in defense, because we were very bad everywhere,” Mourinho said.
“Maybe you laugh, but for me it was a good result, because the way we performed the result could be bigger than this.
“I know that Jack Butland made three fantastic saves. I know that there is, I think, a penalty, but to speak about the referee after this performance, I don’t think it’s ethical.
Mourinho Defiant After 3-1 Loss To Rangers
“The chances we had to score we didn’t. The dynamic in midfield was not good. Defensively, we made incredible mistakes. We never controlled that.
“They defended a lot with the block very low, a good and dangerous counter-attack. So we deserve the punishment of this result.
“But if somebody later wants to ask me do I think it’s over, no, I don’t think it’s over. There is 90 or 120 minutes to play.
“It’s the only positive thing. And from this game, I don’t take any positives. Everything went wrong.
“The only thing I tell them is, don’t celebrate too much. Because there is a second match. It’s my only advice.”
Rangers’ Boss Ferguson Will Not Get Carried Away
Rangers’ interim head coach Barry Ferguson commended his team on their 3-1 victorious display against Fenerbahce on Thursday night in Turkey but refuses to get carried away by arguing that the tie is not yet over.
“There’s no way that the tie is over. It was a great result for us tonight but it’s only half time.
“I have huge respect for Jose as a manager, as I mentioned earlier on he’s one of the best that’s ever been and when you look at his team, he has got players that are really dangerous and can really affect games so there’s no way that we think we’re in the last eight.
“I would be an absolute idiot if I thought that because as I said, I’ve got respect.
“I thought it was a really good performance from my team. They gave me everything that I asked for from the start of the week.
“We went a different way from what we’re used to playing. They took a lot of information in.
“One thing I’ve got to give them is credit because they took every single thing that me and my coaching staff went over on the training ground.
Mourinho Defiant After 3-1 Loss To Rangers
“I thought tonight, at times, going forward, they looked a real threat. I thought defensively, the guys put their bodies on the line. Overall, it was a brilliant result.
“I said that to the players. We’ll have a couple of days rest because they worked ever so hard tonight. Then we’ll get back to work because it’s a big game for us next Thursday.”
Mourinho Defiant After 3-1 Loss To Rangers
