Jose Mourinho called out his attacking players for failing to make the most of Manchester United's superiority as Anderlecht secured a late 1-1 draw in the Europa League on Thursday.
He said: "You say that word "emotion". I'd prefer to be focused on my team and the game during the match, so I can find the right solution if my team is in difficulty".
Most managers limit player criticism to dressing room, but the Special One is seemingly above that. It means United not only have tiredness to contend with but the fact the crucial return fixture looms large in a competition that offers both silverware and Champions League qualification. They are fifth, four points behind Manchester City with a game in hand.
But their former boss who faces them with his Manchester United side at Old Trafford tomorrow is hardly labelling them the new entertainers.
They really struggled after the Russian Federation trip (to Rostov last month) and although Belgium is geographically more convenient, Mourinho picked a strong side against Anderlecht (in the 1-1 quarter-final, first-leg draw on Thursday) and the recovery time will be limited.
Mourinho said: "First of all, some guys are fresh [Chelsea], some guys are exhausted [United]".
"But if this is the only reason you [think Chelsea] stay on top of the table, it's a great mistake". It's not just because they are fresh.
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In between that, they also face the prospect of an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham and Courtois says his side can not afford any slip-ups down the stretch.
"It was very important for me to get those minutes, they were a good 60 minutes". "We stopped our counter attacks because of sloppy decisions, sloppy touches on the ball".
However, Mourinho will be determined to halt his old club's march to the title and the wily Portuguese will have a few tricks up his sleeve.
Mourinho believes Chelsea will have a clear advantage on Sunday having had a full week to prepare for the game and made yet another reference to what he perceives to be Conte's ultra-defensive tactics, a stance that has amused Chelsea fans who recall that Mourinho was renowned for his pragmatism when in charge at Stamford Bridge.
"It was what I needed after what the manager had said over the last couple of weeks, although I took it positively".
"I always thought this and now Zlatan is at the top of his form". All my players are having a great season and deserve the best. "It depends which way you look at it, but he is the first Manchester United manager to win a trophy in his first season and, even though they are Man United, it is a different era now because different expectations have come into the Premier League". At the start of the season, I was in the team and I took my foot off the pedal and that is my fault. I will do whatever he wants.
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