Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hinted he will rest a number of key players for his side's crucial Premier League game away to Liverpool on Sunday to concentrate his squad's efforts on the Champions League
Jose Mourinho
Madrid: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hinted he will rest a number of key players for his side's crucial Premier League game away to Liverpool on Sunday to concentrate his squad's efforts on the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho's men hung on for a 0-0 draw away to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday night to make them favourites to reach a third final in six years.
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However, a clean sheet came at a cost as Mourinho confirmed goalkeeper Petr Cech and captain John Terry will miss the second leg due to injuries that forced them to be replaced at the Vicente Calderon.
Chelsea trail leaders Liverpool by five points with three games to go in the Premier League and Mourinho said he would name a weakened side should he be given permission by his superiors at the club.
"My priority is the Champions League," he said.
"I can't decide by myself. I think that is a decision where I have to listen to the club. I am just a piece, the manager, no more than that and I have to listen to the club.
I know what I would do. I would play the players that are not going to play Wednesday. I am not the most important person at the club. I work for the people who are above me and I have to follow the decision of the club."
Schedule troubles
Mourinho also launched a scathing attack on the Premier League's decision makers for forcing his side to play on Sunday, just four days before the return leg.
"I think the fact the match is on Sunday puts the problem not in my hands but in the hands in people who decided the game is not on Friday or Saturday but on Sunday.
"We are representing English football. Unfortunately we have only one English team left in the European competition.
"Spain has four and they still gave Atletico all the conditions to allow them to succeed."
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