Story highlights
Jose Mourinho dismisses Chelsea's chances in Champions League semifinals
Former Chelsea manager Mourinho says opponents Barcelona are 'super-favorites'
Mourinho's Real Madrid side face Bayern Munich in the other semifinal
'A powerful opponent' is Mourinho's warning
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has written off his former side Chelsea’s chances of beating Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Mourinho’s men face Bayern Munich in their last four clash with Chelsea earning a semifinal match-up against reigning champions Barcelona.
The outspoken Portuguese did not pull any punches when asked by Spanish television about the outcome of that tie, opting immediately for Barcelona.
“Because they are very good. Barcelona aren’t the favorites, they are super-favorites,” he said.
He went on: “Let me be honest, I don’t think the final will be a Real Madrid/Chelsea final. It could be Bayern or Barcelona, I just don’t think i t will be Real Madrid v Chelsea and we know why.”
Mourinho is also wary about Bavarian giants Bayern, who have run into form at the right time.
“Bayern is a very powerful opponent,” Mourinho said. “It is a team I know well as it is almost the same side that I played when coach of Inter Milan in the Champions League final two years ago and they have great individual players,” was his verdict.
The “Special One” led Chelsea to back to back English Premier League titles but success with them in the Champions League eluded him before he left the west London club in September 2007.
He has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, with Roberto Di Matteo taking over as interim coach until the end of the season.
Mourinho, whose Real team are set to succeed Barcelona as La Liga champions, was full of praise for Cypriot minnows Apoel Nicosia after their quarterfinal tie.
“I think in a few years people in Cyprus will realize what Apoel have done, it is the biggest achievement in Champions League this season,” Mourinho said after his side’s 8-2 aggregate victory.
But he knows that Bayern will offer much stiffer opposition in the next round.
“We will have a tough first game in their stadium before bringing them to the Bernabeu but let’s see if we can all do enough to get through to that final,” he added.
