Mourinho revived as Chelsea host Porto
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Article summary
Recent turbulence at Chelsea has redoubled José Mourinho's passion as the Blues take on Porto, the manager saying: "I never thought I would be so strong and so highly motivated."
Article top media content
Article body
- José Mourinho finding courage in adversity: "I never thought I would be so strong"
- Winner at Stamford Bridge will come first in Group G; draw will ensure Chelsea progress in second
- If the game is drawn, Porto could be eliminated by a Dynamo victory but otherwise will finish top
- Mourinho led Porto to UEFA Champions League glory in 2004
- Porto have lost on each of their three previous visits to England
Possible lineups
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanović, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matić, Fàbregas, Ramires, Hazard; Oscar, Costa.
Out: Falcao (muscular)
Doubtful: Terry (ankle/foot)
Porto: Casillas; Maxi Pereira, Marcano, Maicon, Layún; Danilo, Rúben Neves, Herrera; André André, Brahimi, Aboubakar.
Out: Osvaldo (knee)
Doubtful: none
José Mourinho, Chelsea manager
[This run of bad results] is the first time for me, a new experience, and I never thought I would be so strong and highly motivated. Another defeat and I wake up the next day with more desire to go and work. It made me know myself a little bit better.
I'm actually not so concerned about Porto this time because under these circumstances I must focus 100% on my squad and how we are going to play.
Obviously, I would rather reach this game with both teams qualified and we could play to see who wins the group, but unfortunately Porto didn't want that.
Julen Lopetegui, Porto coach
We would like to make history because Porto have never won in England – and to do that we need to have the perfect game. We are coming here to play good football against very good opponents and we will have to be at our best.
I don't give any weight to Chelsea's struggles domestically – these are two very different competitions. Chelsea are a fantastic team with a fantastic manager and players. But our players believe we can give them a game.
Weekend results
Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth (Murray 82)
Glenn Murray headed in following a goalmouth scramble to give promoted strugglers Bournemouth a shock win at Stamford Bridge. With John Terry absent for a second successive game, it was Chelsea's fourth Premier League home defeat of the season.
Porto 2-1 Paços Ferreira (Corona 29, Layún 64pen; Moreira 8)
Undefeated domestically, Porto made it four Liga victories in a row as they came from behind to see off Paços Ferreira, Miguel Layún's second-half penalty proving the difference.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Chelsea: LDWWLW
Porto: WWWLWW
Reporter's view: Trevor Haylett (@UEFAcomTrevorH)
Another Premier League home loss – something almost unthinkable under José Mourinho before this season – has cranked up the pressure on Chelsea who will be out of the UEFA Champions League if they lose and Dynamo Kyiv win. Thibaut Courtois revealed his rustiness at the weekend but the biggest worry for the home side centres on their misfiring strikers: they have scored only once in four league games.
Did you know?
Chelsea have failed to get through the UEFA Champions League group stage just once in the last 12 attempts, as holders in 2012/13; find out more in our match background.