Jose Mourinho has downplayed his ‘special one’ tag ahead of tonight’s Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.
Twelve months ago Mourinho steered Inter Milan past Barcelona in the same stage of the Chamions League and last week ended Pep Guardiola’s sides hopes in the Copa Del Rey.
The stakes will be even higher tonight in the Bernabeu stadium but ahead of the much anticipated clash the former Chelsea boss was unusually modest about his own ability.
“Not long ago I was speaking to a television channel and I told them that I am the same coach that lost 5-0 against Barcelona a few months ago,” Mourinho said.
“I am a hard worker and I put in a lot of hours to help those around me. But I was the coach of this team, which is why I don’t accept the notion that I have a magic potion.”
He added: “I am a natural motivator.
“First I have to motivate myself and then I motivate my players. Before the Cup final all I told them was a statement made by Einstein: ‘There is a driving force more powerful than steam, electricity and atomic energy… the will’.”
Despite gaining a 1-1 draw against Barca in La Liga, followed by their Copa del Rey triumph, Mourinho maintains the outcome of the European Cup clash is too close to call.
“It will be an evenly fought tie,” he said.
“There are no favourites. The two teams know each other well and both have players that have played in important matches and who know how to produce victories.
“We played great at the Bernabeu and in the Copa final, but we are up against a top-class coach and team.
“We know that each competition is different and that each match has its own history.
“I don’t know how Barcelona are morale-wise. Ours is the same had we not won the Copa final.
“You never head to the Camp Nou with a secure lead … it would be normal for everything to be up in the air for the return leg.”
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