Liverpool in his first semifinal match of the Champions League was able to get around Barcelona in many respects, however, the British failed to contain Lionel Messi. This opinion in an interview with RT expressed by the legendary Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho. According to him, “Liverpool” did not deserve defeat with the score 0:3. In addition, Mourinho admired the action “Ajax” in a match with “Tottenham”, where the Dutch won with the score 1:0.

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Liverpool deserved so much better”

— The impression that Liverpool could not do anything against Lionel Messi. Why did this happen?

This time he was really incredible and has rightfully earned the title of hero of the week. Messi did exactly this result. Players of “Liverpool” were positive, despite the absence of Roberto Firmino. They have shown courage and achieved what he was on forces a few people over the last 20 years, — possessed the ball at the camp Nou more than Barcelona. Usually, the Catalans dominate the field in all respects, but that did not happen yesterday. The British had three good chances — that’s a lot. They realize at least one of them — things would have been different. But the God of soccer decided otherwise.

— Were you able to Liverpool to contain Messi, as it was intended?

— They really pushed the players “Barcelona” in depth of field. Of course, the Catalans lot of quality players on the back line, such as Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets. But Liverpool put great pressure. All shots were more or less the same scenario: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen saved his team, and then on the ball first was Virgil van Dijk or Joel Matip, and it would happen again. That is why the guests had advantage in ball possession. Yes, they failed to score, but a lot of things they did really well. However, after two missed goals, the game disintegrated.

— What happened?

— With certainty we can say that Liverpool deserved better than a defeat with the score 0:3. But at the same time the last two corners could bring Barcelona goals. And with this the British could not cope. Overall the game was interesting. I think the team of jürgen Klopp has done everything but paid for not scoring themselves.

“I would say that everything is solved”

Is it possible to say that Messi continues to progress, though he’s almost 32 years?

— I think so. Such penalties, like the one with which he scored his goal, comes with experience. There are many examples of players who are not as phenomenal, but at the same time fantastic know how to execute such strikes. The most unusual example is the goalkeeper Rogerio ceni of the “são Paulo”. It has come to this thanks to daily training. I think Messi also continues to practice and he likes it.

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— The author of the first goal was Luis Suarez. How would you rate his game?

— He, too, was good. Many players in modern football are worried about their image, about what they think about people in different situations. But Suarez managed to ignore the thoughts about his past at Liverpool. The only thing he was focused, specific match, the finals, winning the Champions League. And Luis scored, he celebrated the ball into the gate of the former command. Incredible attitude to their work. Messi is phenomenal but he is such a striker who makes dirty but at the same time, very important work.

It was a fantastic goal. Yes, you can talk about mistakes of van Dyck and Matipa, but Suarez has taken a defender and then took a opened space.

— What can you say about the rest of the players of “Barcelona”?

— In this team, a lot of wonderful performers. For example, a well-played Jordi Alba and Ivan Rakitic. Arturo Vidal has brought into play the sense of struggle, a real desire to fight. Ter Stegen is absolutely a modern goalkeeper, he’s good in every aspect of the game. Now the goalkeeper is much more than a few saves. From the moment Claudio Bravo has gone to Manchester city, the Germans never left the gate. It should progress a young goalie who trusts the coach.

— Why had Barcelona as less preferred counter-attacking game?

— For the Catalans still have a lot of players who used to play back when I worked in Spain. But it’s a completely different team. Yesterday, they feel comfortable in their places in two lines of four players, even when Ernesto Valverde fielded right-back and Suarez raised above. And everyone was waiting for the moment to pick up the ball and organize a quick counterattack.

From a psychological point of view it is very difficult to arrive at camp Nou with the idea that you have all the time to defend himself. But Liverpool were positive. Don’t want to call it a failure. But if the score was at least 1:3, at Anfield has turned to a real battle. But 0:3 is a more serious defeat. Football is football, but I would say that everything is solved.

“The players, “Ajax” fought. They have done everything possible”

— After Ajax in the other semifinal match was scored by Tottenham in the 15th minute, gave the impression that they will try to keep this account?

— Yes, but it’s not easy. Mauricio Pochettino said that his tactic has not really worked. It was felt from the outside. The beginning of the match turned out to be unsuccessful. The three Central defenders had nothing to do, because Ajax played without a Central striker. When this happens, the rest of the field seven are playing against ten. Dusan Tadic fell back, Hakim Ziyech also shifted, and Tottenham was difficult to control the game. The coach saw it, and the injury Jan Vertonghen forced to make changes. Then it was decided to field a couple of Midfielders, and the game was leveled.

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— Was this match really key episode?

— Yes, I think this is the moment when the AFC Ajax striker David Neres hit the post and the visitors ‘ advantage was almost doubled. The British may come to Amsterdam and scoring two goals.

— Nevertheless, we feel any “Ajax” confident after this result?

The Dutch actually fought. Yes, they have done everything possible, Yes, they were aware of their weaknesses. If the team tries to escape from flaws, she has problems. But in episodes with free-kicks guests fell very deeply, because they understand that they will not be able to cope with the duels inside the penalty area. Did Tottenham that they had free space because of this? I don’t think. So the game is not finished.

Who, in your opinion, is the main character of the first semi-final matches?

Instead of one player I would call all the fantastic Ajax. I don’t think the players felt any pressure until this moment, because right now their target is too close. Something like I felt with “Port”. So, I think the Dutch are not very good to sleep. Next week we will have a big match in a great stadium with a great atmosphere.

— How did you react to the news that the goalkeeper “to Port” Iker Casillas had a heart attack?

— Yes, we had a small conflict when I decided to Iker of the basic structure “real”. Of course, it was hard for me to make that decision, and they have to agree with him. But we are in a good relationship. Immediately made contact with Porto, the club has a great medical Department, the situation is under control. So many positive about his recovery and even continue my career. Unfortunately, this happens, despite the constant examination of human nature can bring such a surprise.