jose mourinho

José Mourinho suggested that the balance of power in the Champions League was shifting back towards Italy and Spain after his Inter Milan team delivered a defensive masterclass to thwart Barcelona.

The summer spending spree on the continent, which has taken Samuel Eto’o to the San Siro and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Nou Camp, would, the Portuguese argued, make it more difficult for Premier League teams to retain their dominance.

“English teams have the same potential but the Champions League can be better this season, because I think we will have a better Inter, a better Bayern Munich, a better Real Madrid. Barcelona are Barcelona; it will be tough.”

The containing tactics that Mourinho used against the Catalans, suffocating the champions of Europe with consistently deep defending, did nothing for the aesthetics of a fascinating match but plenty for the manager’s personal satisfaction.

For Mourinho, there has always been no greater honour than in defiance. And when he starts to pontificate, the rest of Europe tends to listen.

“This game has a point that I think is significant. Inter committed 12 fouls in the whole game - four in the first half, eight in the second. A team that plays Barcelona, the best team in Europe, and doesn’t concede a goal, has only one yellow card in the last minute, and commits only 12 fouls? I think it’s a great performance.

“It was a game of details. Barcelona had nine players who could play from memory, while we had five new boys who barely knew each other’s names. We have the purpose, and the organisation. The only way to get better is with games.”