Jose’s verdict on Royal Antwerp

Jose Mourinho was straight to the point after our 1-0 defeat against Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.

Lior Refaelov capitalised on a defensive mistake to put the Belgian First Division A leaders ahead on 29 minutes and despite a reshuffle at half-time where Jose made four substitutions, it proved enough to win this Matchday Two encounter in Group J at the Bosuilstadion.

We certainly created opportunities and got ourselves into great positions many times, but without carving out clear-cut chances. Shots from distance from the likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Steven Bergwijn and Harry Winks didn’t really test home goalkeeper Jean Butez in the first half, Heung-Min Son didn’t connect fully with Lucas Moura's cross in the second half, Erik Lamela was inches away from another, and a number of defensive blocks kept us at bay.

“We can only blame ourselves, and we can only praise our opponent,” said Jose as the rain continued to pour down in Antwerp afterwards.

“I would prefer to praise the opponent because they played a magnificent game, and not to blame ourselves, because we played an awful game. But I have to do both, to praise them, because they played at the maximum of their level, and we have to blame ourselves, because we were poor.”

Having arrived in Belgium on the back of 10 matches unbeaten in all competitions, it was simply put to Jose that this performance came out of the blue, somewhat...

“Yes, I have to admit that,” he added. “The performance was poor, the result is poor, there is nothing more I want to say.

“Somebody to blame? Blame me, because I’m the boss, it’s my responsibility who to play, and I’m the one to blame, but I have to admit the game confirmed to me a few things, opened other question marks and will help me in the future for my decisions.”

LASK beat Ludogorets 4-3 in the other match in Group J. Royal Antwerp top the group with two wins out of two, we’re second on goal difference.

Jose on Spurs TV...