Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks around Stamford Bridge and sees the fans there. But he’s not happy about not being able to hear them very often.
After a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers in English Premier League action Saturday, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho isn’t all that crazy about the level of support from the home crowd.
"“At this moment it’s difficult to play at home because playing here is like playing in an empty stadium,” Mourinho told BBC Sport. “When we scored was when I realized, ‘Woah, the stadium is full. Good.’”"
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There were 41,486 at Stamford Bridge Saturday as the Blues opened up a nine-point lead over defending EPL champion Manchester City on the league table.
But Mourinho said the lack of vocal support at home affects the club.
"“The team then starts playing like it’s quiet; soft game at home.”"
The crowd and the Blues weren’t the only things sluggish Saturday—QPR goalkeeper Rob Green had to ask for the lights to be turned on 20 minutes into the game on a gloomy Saturday in Fulham.
"“I think the man responsible for the lights was in the same mood as the crowd, because everybody was sleeping,” Mourinho said. “He took 20 minutes to understand that it was dark, but I took 30 minutes to understand that the stadium was not empty.”"
Some of that could have just been frustration from a manager unhappy with a team’s lackluster performance against an inferior foe.
"“My team didn’t play well or well enough or so well as I was expecting,” Mourinho said. “With our quality I would expect us to be stronger and to get a different result.”"
It will be interesting to see how the fans react to being scolded. Sometimes, at least in the U.S., that tactic can backfire on a team.
Chelsea didn’t get the win Saturday until Eden Hazard scored on a penalty in the 75th minute. The Blues have won all five of their EPL games at Stamford Bridge this season.
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