Mourinho calls for calmby Alex Dunn - created on 26 Apr 2005
Jose Mourinho has urged his Chelsea side not to get carried away by the occasion on Wednesday evening against Liverpool.
The Premiership's champions-elect play Rafa Benitez's faltering Liverpool side in a UEFA Champions League semi-final but Mourinho insists the final whistle on Wednesday will signal only half-time for the tie.
Chelsea's confident chief, relaxed and amiable in the press conference, believes it is imperative to bear in mind that the return leg at Anfield holds just as much weight as the initial game at Stamford Bridge.
''It's maybe a bit different, you know like when we played Manchester (United) in the Carling Cup semi-final,'' said Mourinho.
''When you play two matches, it is two matches. Manchester came here for the result they got, but at the same time, we wanted to win but not risk so much because we knew we could beat them at Old Trafford.
''So, it's not so as intense as it is when there is only one match to play.
''I think tomorrow will be the same. They will try to get a result, we will try to win but there is no panic.
''We have big emotional control because we have a second game to play.''
Mourinho has a major decision to make over whether to field fit-again Arjen Robben or the rejuvenated Joe Cole but as ever, the Portuguese tactician remains tight-lipped over his team selection.
''First of all, you have to say that we have played without Robben for several consecutive weeks now,'' he continued.
''Of course he is a special player and talent and of course we need him, but our team is more than Arjen Robben.
''He wants to help - it's frustrating for a top player to be on the sidelines, he wants to play and has been working hard to be ready for this match.
''But at the same time, as like (Rafa) Benitez is saying, there is not 90 minutes in the legs of Harry Kewell.
''I feel the same about Robben. He is not ready to play 90 minutes, we have to build his condition to get the maximum out of him.
''He could start the game and finish after 60-65 minutes or he goes on the bench and plays the last 45 minutes or half-an-hour.
''We have to decide and to be fair, I already have.''
Mourinho was involved with some minor altercations with Liverpool supporters during the Carling Cup final but he believes there will no repeat of the histrionics involving himself and the away supporters inside Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
He conceded: ''The reception is always bad - always negative. I think it is normal.
''Not just Liverpool fans, but with every fan. They stand behind in the dugout and can almost touch me.
''We are a special club. We give away supporters the best seats in the house. When we play Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United our fans have to go to the moon
''They have to sit at the top but here they have the best seats in the stadium - so we are a very special club.
''They try to disturb me a bit. Some are nice so I try to be nice - to calm them sometimes.
''When I came I said I was special because I was European champion. I arrived here with my ego big. Now it is even higher!''
Home