Jose Mourinho writes a weekly column entitled 'Hotel Chelsea' for the Portuguese sports daily 'Record'.

In this section read a translated summary of Mourinho's fascinating insights.

3 October 2005

Astute Queiroz a friend indeed

Before Benfica took them on in Wednesday’s Champions League clash, Manchester United were going through a difficult patch. They had lost 5 points at home, hadn’t won in four matches, discontent was growing and Sir Alex Ferguson was unfairly and incompre-hensively criticised.

Carlos Queiroz spoke, berating the supporters, attacking the press, defending Ferguson. He called attention to himself, attracted criticism, and got himself on the back pages of the English dailies, thus alleviating the pressure on the boss. Sir Alex knows full well that Queiroz was the friend and assistant he needed in the difficult days preceding the game, and when the second goal went in he immediately turned to him.

The embrace - spontaneous, and without words - was an enormous thank you for Queiroz’s extremely important action in the lead-up to the match. In difficult moments some assistants go into hiding, others put themselves in the firing line. Queiroz did a great job, as exemplified in that embrace showing the solid relationship between the two.

Champions League - Benfica & Porto

Benfica played well. Despite United’s injury problems, playing at Old Trafford is never easy, and from the mental and structural point of view, Benfica left a good image, but they return to Lisbon without any points and with the sensation that with a little more ambition…

The winning goal was plagiarised from basketball. We did it last season at Chelsea, and there are several teams successfully executing this tactic. Luisão had done a good job marking Rio Ferdinand in dead ball situations, but at this corner O’Shea blocked his movement leaving Rio free at the front post. Petit saw the danger and tried to intervene but had no chance given the difference in height. Rio, flicked the ball on, Nuno Gomes got an unfortunate touch, and Nistelrooy knocked the ball into the net.

Losing at Old Trafford with a block like that must hurt, but the Portuguese champions should take a positive outlook: Lille-Villarreal was a perfect result, and Benfica have a good chance of qualifying.

I didn’t see Porto’s Champions League defeat, but the conclusion seems clear: you can’t take the same approach to Champions League matches as in domestic games. The matches are at the very highest level, and the tactical and psychological approach must be very carefully orchestrated. Last year Porto began badly, with two draws and a defeat, but got through in the last three matches. This year they can do the same.

Liverpool-Chelsea

In Liverpool two incredibly powerful midfields lined up against each other. Alonso, Gerard and Hamman against Makelele, Lampard and Eissen. No space, no time, no football. Liverpool got round this by playing a direct game to Crouch, but Terry and Ricardo were impeccable in this unequal fight against a giant who complicated matters and who made it crucial to maintain full concentration.

Drogba’s movement was fantastic, but there were few chances created. I expected them to take a risk, maybe bringing on Riise or Zenden for Hamman, but this didn’t happen and the match ended goalless. A point away in the Champions League is a good result. Will Liverpool risk more in our Premiership encounter?