Although tonight’s Champions League quarter-final is between European giants Real Madrid and Cypriot minnows APOEL is the first ever competitive meeting of the clubs, it does bring together two familiar faces.
APOEL midfielder Nuno Morais played under Madrid coach José Mourinho for three seasons at Chelsea from 2004 to 2007. He made just four league appearances in that time, although one was in a vital 3-1 victory over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United in May 2005.
Morais told Spanish newspaper AS yesterday he had been surprised when Chelsea came calling in 2004 for a then 20-year-old centre-half at small Portuguese side Peñafiel.
“I went for a week’s trial, and they liked me,” said Morais. “I learned a lot from Mourinho. He taught me how to play in the middle, because I had been a centre-back at Peñafiel. It was difficult to get playing time with (Claude) Makelele, who was always my idol, (Michael) Essien and (Frank) Lampard. But I learned a lot.”
After spending some time on loan back in Portugal, Morais left Chelsea for APOEL on a free transfer in summer 2007. Having settled in Cyprus, he has been key to APOEL’s progress this season – playing every minute of their 14 game European campaign to date.
The 28-year-old scored the opening goal at Albanians Skënderbeu way back in July and converted a penalty in the dramatic shoot-out victory over Lyon in the quarter-finals two weeks ago. The midfielder said he had nevertheless enjoyed being coached by his fellow-countryman (with whom he shares an agent in Jorge Mendes).
“I hold nothing against Mourinho,” he said. “With those names ahead of me it was impossible to play. I love Mou’s attitude. Just his manner dazzles you. He treats everyone the same, substitutes and starting-players.”
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