“José Mourinho criticizes referee after controversy with João Pinheiro.”

After the thrilling League Cup semifinal between Benfica and Braga, which ended with a 3-1 victory for Braga, José Mourinho did not hold back in his criticism of referee João Pinheiro and the performance of his team. The Portuguese coach’s words were incisive and revealing about the mistakes that marked the match, as well as the strategies he believed should have been implemented.

Mourinho began by responding to the question about the errors made during the game at the Pedreira, stating that there were “very few” mistakes in the previous match. However, he acknowledged that the difference between the first and second halves of this semifinal was significant. “In the first half, Sudakov, Aursnes, and Barreiro were too high, which allowed our players to find space to connect the play,” he explained. He emphasized that in the second half, those players started to drop back and create connections, resulting in a more effective attack in the final third of the field. “That’s exactly what we did today in the second half,” the strategist underscored.

Mourinho also analyzed Braga’s approach, which tried to modify its strategy after the difficult second half they faced at the Pedreira. He pointed out that the only difference in Braga’s lineup was the presence of Gabriel and the absence of Vítor Gomes, but that this did not substantially alter the dynamics of the game. “Their approach was exactly the same, and we often found Prestianni and Barreiro,” he stated.

The Portuguese coach did not hesitate to criticize his own team’s performance, refusing to say they deserved the draw. “The first half was absolutely horrible, and Braga’s second half wasn’t horrible; it was difficult for them to cope with us,” he analyzed. For Mourinho, what really marked the match was the way the game was managed, especially by the goalkeepers.

“A recurring criticism I make, both in the Turkish league and now in Portugal, is that goalkeepers lack the minimum dignity and professionalism,” Mourinho stated, referring to the tendency of goalkeepers to excessively interrupt the game. He praised João Pinheiro’s decision to caution a goalkeeper as early as the 30th minute but lamented that the game’s dynamics were harmed by behaviors he considers unacceptable.

Mourinho’s frustration is palpable, and his words reflect not only his dissatisfaction with the refereeing but also a broader critique of how football is being played in Portugal. The struggle for dignity in sports and respect for the dynamics of the game are themes he continues to emphasize in pursuit of a fairer and more competitive football.