José Mourinho on Bernardo Silva’s incredible impact against Barcelona in El Clásico:
🗣️ José Mourinho: “When we signed Bernardo, we weren’t looking for the quickest player, and we weren’t looking for the strongest player. We wanted an engine in midfield. Someone who would make life uncomfortable for the opposition for 90 minutes. And Bernardo is exactly that.
“Do you know why Pep Guardiola had so much success at Manchester City with him?”
🎙️ Reporter: “No, why?”
🗣️ Mourinho:
“Because Bernardo is a little harasser! [laughs] He will harass your players until they begin to question why they came to the stadium. You pass the ball, he is there. You turn around, he is there. You think you’ve escaped him, and suddenly he’s pressing you again. The man simply does not stop running!
“I remember one morning in training. We were not even supposed to start until 7:15 a.m., and I discovered Bernardo had already been running five kilometres. Five kilometres! I called him over and asked, ‘Bernardo, do you ever stop running? What exactly are you running away from?’
“He looked at me and said, ‘It’s my favourite thing to do, boss.’
“I said to myself, this boy is either completely crazy or exactly the player I need! [laughs]
“Against Barcelona, we needed somebody who would disturb their rhythm, close their passing lanes, chase their midfielders and make sure they never felt comfortable on the ball. Bernardo understood the assignment perfectly. He didn’t need me shouting every five minutes because he already knew what I wanted.
“Barcelona want to play through the midfield. They want time to turn, look up and find their next pass. Bernardo doesn’t give you that luxury. He makes you rush your decisions, and when you rush your decisions against a team like ours, you make mistakes.
“That is why we signed Bernardo Silva and not Rodri. Rodri gives you control in his own way, but Bernardo gives you a different kind of problem. He makes your midfield work twice as hard just to breathe. Tonight, Barcelona didn’t just lose the ball; they lost the peace of mind they need to play their football. And Bernardo was a big reason why.”
[ This is the source @UTD_Seth001 ]