Mourinho: We'll be better than last time we were here

Thursday's match at the Aspmyra Stadion gets underway at 21:00 CEST, as the two sides - who faced each other in the group stage of the competition - lock horns once again.

After Bodo got the better of those group encounters, Mourinho is adamant his side will be a different proposition this time around.

Here is what he had to say...

Welcome back! How is it to be back in Bodo?

“I told you the first time. Beautiful place, with a passion for football. I am always happy to come here. The only problem for me is to again play on an artificial pitch, which is of course bad. But that is the way it is and we have to think about trying to get into the semi-finals. We hope we can do much better than the first time.”

You remember the 6-1, then – will it be a different match tomorrow? What are your thoughts heading into the game, as you are now playing much better in Italy too?

“Of course it is going to be a different match. First of all because there are never two equal matches. And second because we have changed so much since the first match that it is difficult to compare. Four of the players that started the game here are not with us anymore – Bryan Reynolds, Gonzalo Villar, Borja Mayoral, Riccardo Calafiori. They are not even with us now.

"So we are going to be a different team in terms of the players but I believe a different team also in our confidence level and motivational levels. The group phase, we knew that we were probably going to be in the next phase and a defeat would not be a drama. Of course, losing 6-1 is more than a defeat - but in the end it was just three points we lost.

"But now it is knockout. Now only one team goes through, whereas in the group phase we both went through. Now only one goes into the semi-final and of couse we will face the game with a different perspective as a result. But full of respect for Bodo as a team, because they are a good team.”

Bodo have also sold some players since last time you faced them. What do you think of Bodo now?

“I think they are the same. They have changed some players, but the way the team thinks about football and the way the team plays is the same. The players that have come to replace the others, their profile is not very different. Even if you look to the left-back, one was left-footed and now this one is right-footed – but the dynamic of the team is very, very similar. So I think they are the same team.

“They are in good condition. They had their [off-season] break, they had their preparation, they have come back recently to real competition. So they are fresh. They are in good condition and I think they will be as good as they were before. I think we will be much better than we were before and I hope that makes a difference for us.”

One guy that is still here with Bodo is Ola Solbakken, although he might not play tomorrow. Do you have a plan to stop him? Some rumours also say you are interested in signing him?

“I am interested in nobody, I am just interested in winning the match tomorrow. I don’t speak about individual players, especially players that belong to other teams. I look at Bodo as a team. Of course we analyse the individuals; it is important to know them so we can prepare the team as well as we can. Bodo has lots of good players. I think a couple of them are also good at talking – they like to talk. But we are here for them tomorrow, and next week we will be waiting in Rome too.”

What does it mean to you to be the last team, along with Atalanta, still playing in Europe this season? Will it give the players additional motivation?

"I don't know about that. It saddens me, I think, because I would like other Italian teams to still be playing in Europe now. If I look at some of the other games we still have to play, like against Napoli or Inter, then it would be good for us if those sides were also still playing in Europe in terms of fatigue and rotation and everything else.

"But for others it would be better if a lot of other Italian teams were still playing in Europe. But the reality is it is just Atalanta and us still in Europe, so let's see if we can do something special in the remainder of the competitions. I don't think it's just us, I think Atalanta are also a very good side and have the chance to do really well."

You say that a couple of the Bodo players like to talk – what do you mean by that?

“Yes, one of them thinks it’s a good draw for them. It’s a good draw. Maybe it’s confidence, which is a positive thing.”

You talked a little about the artificial grass last time, saying it was 'horrible'. What do you say this time?

“I say the same. Because football is to be played on natural grass, not on artificial turf. It’s a different sport. It’s a completely different sport. That’s it. I understand that the weather is very harsh, but I also complain sometimes even when we are playing at home on our pitch and it’s not good. Now our pitch is good, but we have had a period when it was not good.

"And I am not the only coach in European football that, I won’t say complains, but wants the best football to be played. There are lots of us that are not happy with it. But, look, no excuses: the weather is the weather and the pitch is the pitch. We have two matches to reach the semi-final and we have to focus on that. And, again, also respect Bodo as a team. Because they are a good team.

"They played in Rome on natural grass and played well. I think in that match they were very lucky, because there were two clear penalties for us that unfortunately without VAR were not given, but they still went to Rome and they played very, very well. So credit to them. It is not because they are used to artificial pitches and we are not.

"They are a very good team. Respect.”

Last time you chose not to train on the pitch before the game, and you have done the same again this time. Why?

“Because to be one day on an artificial pitch is better than to be there two days. So it is not about adapting or not adapting. If you can be on it for only one day then [it is better] you are only there one day and then … run away!”