Champions League Group Stage Round 6, Benfica defeated Napoli 2-0 at home. After the match, Benfica manager José Mourinho accepted an interview.
Mourinho said: “Is the rhythm of Serie A games slower than that of Champions League games? It’s hard to say – we have the same problem in the Portuguese league. The last time a Portuguese team won the Champions League was over 20 years ago, and the last time an Italian team claimed the Champions League title was 15 years ago.” Mourinho himself led both triumphs: Porto in the 2003-04 season and Inter Milan in the 2009-10 season.
Mourinho continued: “There must be a reason for this. I think economic factors are crucial – the teams that win the Champions League are often the ones that invest the most. Inter Milan have reached the Champions League final twice in a short period in recent years, so Italian teams are not far from victory.”
