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29 March 2024

Mourinho backs Cardiff to shock Liverpool

Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho attends a news conference prior to the Champions League last 16 first leg soccer match against CSKA Moscow at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow. (REUTERS)

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By Staff

Jose Mourinho has made a rare foray back in to English football ahead of today’s Carling Cup final between Liverpool and Cardiff today at Wembley.

According to a report in The Sun on Sunday (https://bit.ly/zDFQp0), Mourinho's special love for the underdog has him hoping Malky Mackay's Cardiff can conjure up a giant-killing at Wembley.

Mourinho said: "I believe this can be a really great match because a final is a final, Wembley is Wembley and, of course, Liverpool and Cardiff have a great opportunity of making some history.

"In England, something I love and respect a lot is the fact that lower division clubs have the emotional qualities to play the big teams and beat them. So in that aspect I am supporting the Welsh team, Cardiff.

"But, by the other way, I am always with my friends and Steve Clarke (Liverpool assistant manager) is a forever friend.

"So in that sense I am supporting the Reds. Anyway, for sure, England enjoy this final... I think it can be very special.

Mourinho's one big regret is that he will not be able to be at Wembley this afternoon.

He had made plans to fly in by private plane to watch the final from the stands — along with his Real Madrid stars Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa — both, of course, former favourites at Liverpool.

Mourinho said: "Yes I was thinking to go to the final with my Reds but we play the same day so our trip cannot be done.

"It would have been good fun with Xabi and Alvaro because they are Liverpool and I would, for sure, remind them of our Carling Cup final against Liverpool in Cardiff in 2005."