Rijkaard vs Mourinho, who’s winning the mind games

By European Football
February 24 2005

Frank Rijkaard has expressed his bemusement at Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s anger over his chat to the referee, claiming he has no idea why it has upset the Chelsea boss so much.

"I can't tell you what happened that upset so much Mourinho."

"I was there, I talked with the ref, and the reaction of the Chelsea side was kind of exaggerated.”

"I talked with the ref in a really polite and friendly manner, and they were upset about that so they started things.”

"For me nothing happened, if something happened it is because they got upset maybe with me talking with the ref, I don't know.”

"I don't understand the fuss about it.”

"I'm curious as to what their complaint will be. Let's wait and see."

And this is not the first time a chat with the ref has upset Mourinho, it happened with Alex Ferguson and Manchester United, just a few weeks ago. In fact as of late Mourinho’s mask of calm has appeared to slip quite alarmingly, as he faces up to the realities of life in England.

However when he gets to look at this dispassionately I am sure he will realise that last night was a good result, and they only need a single goal at Stamford Bridge to progress, for me they have more chance of doing that than either Arsenal or Manchester United.