Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hails treble-winners Bayern Munich on eve of Super Cup clash
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described Bayern Munich as the “perfect team” as he prepares to do battle again with Pep Guardiola in today’s UEFA Super Cupu00a0showdown.
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Ex-Barcelona coach Guardiola leads European champions Bayern into the showdown at Prague’s Eden Arena against Europa League winners Chelsea, with former Real Madrid coach Mourinho in his second stint with the Blues.
Jose Mourinho (second from right) speaks to his players during a training session at the Eden Arena in Prague yesterday. Pic/AFP
Under Guardiola’s predecessor Jupp Heynckes, Bayern swept aside their rivals last season to become the first German club to win the European, German league and cup titles, a feat that proved their perfection, according to Mourinho.
“They have come off a season where they showed they were the perfect team, because to win the treble, only perfect teams can do that,” said Mourinho.
“I think Bayern’s strength is the team, they are a ready-made product.
“It’s a team with players in the best moment of their career. I don’t have the exact figures, but their average age must be late 20s, guys like (Arjen) Robben, (Bastian) Schweinsteiger, (Mario) Mandzukic, (Franck) Ribery, Toni Kroos is a bit younger, but they are all very experienced.
“Year after year, they are playing in the best competitions. I think that is their quality, they are an incredible footballing power and they have the personalities of a fantastic team.”
Mourinho left Madrid in June to return for a second stint at Chelsea and the Portuguese grew prickly when asked about his renewed rivalry with Guardiola, who took charge at Bayern in June having won 14 titles in four years at Barcelona.
‘It’s about Chelsea’
When the inevitable Guardiola question came up, Mourinho fell silent and pointed to his white shirt, the same colour as Real’s famous jerseys, and especially the Chelsea badge. “It’s white, but it’s Chelsea — if you have questions about Chelsea, I am here until 4pm, if you want to ask questions about Real Madrid or Barcelona, I am not here,” he said, having succeeded Rafael Benitez, who steered Chelsea to last season’s Europa League triumph against Benfica.
“This game isn’t about me and Pep, it’s about Chelsea and Bayern Munich. It’s about a Super Cup where the European Champion is against the Europa League champion. Pep is not the European champion and I am not the Europa League champion.” u00a0
Striker Eto’o joins Chelsea on loan
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has joined Chelsea on a one-year contract, the Premier League giants announced. The 32-year-old arrives from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala on a free transfer.u00a0
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