Tie was lost in ‘crucial minute’ – Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admitted a second-half save by keeper Thibaut Courtois was a pivotal moment in Chelsea’s Champions League defeat against Atletico Madrid. 

Courtois, on loan at Atletico from the Blues, kept out John Terry’s header shortly before a foul by Samuel Eto’o led to the La Liga leaders going ahead with a penalty.

Level at 0-0 from the first leg of the semi-final, Chelsea got the breakthrough they wanted when Fernando Torres put them ahead against his former club.

But Atletico hit back emphatically and their 3-1 victory means they will face city rivals Real in an all-Madrid final in Lisbon.

Chelsea boss Mourinho said: “I think that minute was crucial. After that we immediately had the feeling that the game was lost.

“There was one minute in the second half when the goalkeeper makes an impossible save from John Terry’s header, and instead of 2-1 for Chelsea, a few seconds later there was a penalty and they scored.

“So in one minute two actions decided the game. After that there was only one team on the pitch.

“My team were trying with honour, pride and professionalism, but after that moment the game was completely controlled. Atletico were very mature in the way they controlled the game.”

Chelsea have been hampered by injuries to key players recently and were without midfielders Frank Lampard and John Mikel Obi, who were both suspended.

“We had so many problems but the players gave everything and I am happy with them,” Mourinho insisted.

“They can go home sad but with a clean face. They did their work, they lost the game but they lost against a very good team.”

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