English Version (Rephrased)
The game stood at a precarious 1-0 lead in the 60th minute, far from decided. Play paused as Benfica`s Dodi Lukebakio prepared for a potentially dangerous free kick from the left. Yet, despite the tension on the field, Stamford Bridge had a singular focus: chanting Jose Mourinho`s name, a tribute that echoed through the stadium repeatedly throughout the evening.
Mourinho responded to the fervent crowd`s adoration with multiple waves. For his most passionate admirers, a mere acknowledgment wasn`t enough; a fan near the away dugout, distinctive with a top-knot and summer scarf, eagerly implored Mourinho to turn for a perfect selfie.
The football itself became secondary; the true spectacle was Mourinho, who ventured well beyond his technical area. He stood imperiously close to the action as players in red and blue battled for the ball, exuding an air of ownership – as if this entire stadium were his creation.
For the past four years, Chelsea supporters have yearned for a team embodying the glorious arrogance and relentless competitiveness reminiscent of Mourinho`s era. Even before the Clearlake ownership, the club`s very essence was shaped as much by Roman Abramovich`s wealth as by the uncompromising spirit Mourinho instilled from the outset. Under him, every match was crucial. Chelsea players were known to dispute with rivals, referees, and even their own club management. It was widely believed – and the Football Association apparently agreed – that rules were occasionally bent, all in the paramount pursuit of victory.
This brought a somewhat disheartening aspect to Mourinho`s comeback. His characteristic theatrics, crowd interaction, and even late yellow cards typically serve a greater purpose, manifesting his unique qualities on the pitch. Mourinho`s renown stems from how his teams, regardless of their immense cost, consistently played with an underdog mentality – aggressive, defiant, and injecting every game with high stakes.
However, this particular occasion was different. It was possibly influenced by being only the second match in an eight-game league phase. The uninspiring conclusion to a dull game suggested this. Richard Rios`s own goal in the first half won`t determine if Benfica advances to the knockout stages, nor is it likely to be the defining match for Chelsea`s progression directly to the last 16.
Nevertheless, a Mourinho in his prime would have elevated the intensity of any match. While he will forever be revered in this area of London, he was once equally formidable. Maresca`s seemingly modest attacking lineup, resembling a Conference League side, could have been exploited. Yet, even with a rotated squad, Chelsea`s talent significantly outstripped Benfica`s. When Mourinho previously visited with Inter, Manchester United, or Tottenham, he received similar adulation, but it always foreshadowed a fierce contest where his players would relentlessly challenge Chelsea.
Had the match unfolded with such intensity, it could have been disastrous for Maresca, especially as his team was already struggling, and the return of an esteemed predecessor was ill-timed. Chelsea`s performances had not been living up to expectations, nor did they tonight. The world champions played below their potential, but crucially, they didn`t have to be exceptional. Their opponents, Benfica, showed effort and created some threats on the wings, notably via Lukebakio, but their only significant danger to Robert Sanchez`s goal came from Frederik Aursnes, who was offside. Benfica didn`t «park the bus,» but their lack of attacking dynamism and drive meant they couldn`t truly pressure Maresca`s side. Any potential weakness Mourinho might have seized upon in his peak was quickly neutralized.
«I attempted to alter the left winger`s role because I noticed Malo Gusto was struggling,» he remarked. «Maresca created difficulties for Malo Gusto. Then Maresca introduced a superior player, Reece James, to replace him. This exemplifies the challenge inherent in playing against Chelsea.»
The second half, in essence, seemed to be leading up to Mourinho`s post-match press conference. Despite his usual captivating presence, it mirrored the evening`s subdued homecoming. Just like on Monday, Mourinho reconnected with old acquaintances and displayed a more contemplative demeanor. Indeed, this appeared to be the focus; cameras captured his discussions and a plate of biscuits, largely overshadowing the actual events of the game.
Speaking in English, he touched upon his legacy: a recurring mention of his dismissal from Spurs before securing a trophy, his emphatic declaration of being more driven than ever to win honors, and a reiteration of his profound connection with Chelsea.
«I extend my gratitude to them,» he stated, addressing the fans who had given him such a warm reception. «On the pitch, I was engrossed in the game, but their cheers were unmistakable. Whenever I`m in London, I encounter them regularly. Our bond, I believe, will endure eternally. I hope to return here in two decades with my grandchildren. They are an integral part of my history, just as I am a part of theirs.»
But isn`t that the crux of it? It`s predominantly history now. While Mourinho claims, «I don`t sustain myself on memories, but on victories and results,» he has, over time, lost the predatory edge required to conquer the most significant challenges.
His era as a dominant force concluded with his departure from Tottenham, perhaps even earlier. His subsequent moves to Italy, then Turkey, and now back to his origins allowed this decline to largely go unaddressed. Not tonight, however. This evening served as a tribute to his past greatness. His potential future achievements, on a Champions League night, felt almost insignificant.
Oʻzbekcha Versiya (Latinitza)
OÊ»yinning 60-daqiqasida hisob 1:0 boÊ»lib turardi, natija hali ham noaniq edi. Benfica futbolchisi Dodi Lukebakioning chap qanotdan xavfli jarima zarbasini amalga oshirishidan oldin oÊ»yin toÊ»xtatildi. Maydondagi keskinlikka qaramay, «Stamford Bridge»da yagona diqqat markazida Joze Mourinyoning ismi boÊ»ldi, uning nomi stadion boÊ»ylab tun boÊ»yi qayta-qayta yangradi.
Mourinyu joʻshqin olomonning mehriga bir necha bor qoʻl siltab javob berdi. Uning eng ashaddiy muxlislari uchun oddiygina eʼtirof yetarli emas edi; mehmondagi zaxira oʻrindigʻi yonidagi muxlis, tepa qismi bogʻlangan soch turmagi va yozgi sharfi bilan ajralib turardi, Mourinyudan orqaga oʻgirilib, mukammal selfi tushishini iltimos qildi.
Futbolning oʻzi ikkinchi darajali boʻlib qoldi; haqiqiy shou Mourinyu edi, u oʻzining texnik maydonchasi chegarasidan ancha uzoqlarga chiqib yurardi. Qizil va koʻk libosdagi futbolchilar toʻp uchun kurashayotgan paytda, u harakatga juda yaqin turardi, oʻzini shu yerning egasi kabi tutardi – goʻyo butun stadionni oʻzi qurganidek.
SoÊ»nggi toÊ»rt yil davomida «Chelsi» muxlislari Mourinyu davridagi kabi shonli magÊ»rurlik va tinimsiz raqobatbardoshlikni mujassam etgan jamoani orzu qilib kelishdi. Clearlake egaligidan oldin ham, klubning mohiyati Roman Abramovichning boyligi bilan birga Mourinyu boshidanoq singdirgan murosasiz ruh bilan shakllangan edi. Uning davrida har bir oÊ»yin juda muhim edi. «Chelsi» futbolchilari raqiblar, hakamlar va hatto oÊ»z klub rahbariyati bilan ham bahslashishga moyil edilar. GÊ»alabani birinchi oÊ»ringa qoÊ»yish maqsadida qoidalar baʼzan buzilganiga keng ishonilardi – va Angliya Futbol Assotsiatsiyasi ham bunga qoÊ»shilgandek tuyulardi.
Bu Mourinyuning qaytishiga biroz umidsizlik keltirdi. Uning oÊ»ziga xos teatrlashgan harakatlari, muxlislar bilan muloqotlari va hatto oxirgi daqiqalardagi sariq kartochkalari odatda maydonda oÊ»ziga xos xususiyatlarini namoyish etishga xizmat qilardi. Mourinyuning mashhurligi uning jamoalari, ularning narxi qancha boÊ»lishidan qatʼi nazar, doimiy ravishda «autsayder» mentaliteti bilan oÊ»ynaganligi – tajovuzkor, qarshi turuvchi va har bir oÊ»yinga yuqori stavkalar kiritganligi bilan bogÊ»liq.
Biroq, bu safargi vaziyat boshqacha edi. Bu sakkiz oʻyinli ligalar bosqichining ikkinchi oʻyini boʻlganligi bilan bogʻliq boʻlishi mumkin. Zerikarli oʻyinning umidsiz yakuni ham buni koʻrsatib turardi. Richard Riosning birinchi boʻlimdagi avtogoli Benficaʼning pley-off bosqichiga chiqishini hal qilmaydi, shuningdek, Chelseaʼning toʻgʻridan-toʻgʻri 1/16 finalga chiqishi uchun hal qiluvchi oʻyin boʻlishi dargumon.
Shunga qaramay, oʻzining eng yaxshi davridagi Mourinyu har qanday oʻyinning shiddatini oshirgan boʻlardi. Garchi u Londonning bu qismida abadiy hurmatga sazovor boʻlsa-da, bir paytlar u shunchalik qoʻrqinchli edi. Marescaning Konferensiya Ligasi jamoasiga oʻxshash oddiy hujum chizigʻi foydalanilgan boʻlishi mumkin edi. Biroq, hatto tarkib rotatsiya qilingan boʻlsa ham, Chelseaʼning iqtidori Benficaʼnikidan ancha ustun edi. Mourinyu avvalroq Inter, Manchester Yunayted yoki Tottenham bilan tashrif buyurganida ham shunga oʻxshash olqishlarga sazovor boʻlgan, ammo bu har doim uning futbolchilari Chelseaʼga tinimsiz qarshilik koʻrsatadigan shiddatli bahsni bashorat qilardi.
Agar oÊ»yin shunday shiddat bilan davom etganida, bu Maresca uchun halokatli boÊ»lishi mumkin edi, ayniqsa uning jamoasi allaqachon qiyinchiliklarga duch kelgan paytda hurmatli oÊ»tmishdoshning qaytishi nooÊ»rin edi. Chelseaʼning oÊ»yinlari bugungacha kutgandek boÊ»lmadi va bugun kechasi ham boÊ»lmadi. Jahon chempionlari oÊ»z salohiyatidan past oÊ»ynashdi, lekin muhimi, ular ajoyib boÊ»lishlari shart emas edi. Ularning raqiblari, Benfica, harakat qildi va qanotlardan, ayniqsa Lukebakio orqali baʼzi tahdidlar yaratdi, ammo Robert Sanchesning darvozasiga yagona jiddiy xavf Frederik Aursnes ofsaydda boÊ»lganida keldi. Benfica «avtobus qoÊ»ymadi», lekin ularning hujumkor dinamizmi va harakatchanligi yoÊ»qligi Maresca jamoasini chinakamiga sinashga imkon bermadi. Mourinyu oÊ»zining eng yaxshi davrida foydalanishi mumkin boÊ»lgan har qanday potentsial zaiflik tezda bartaraf etildi.
«Chap qanot himoyachisining rolini oÊ»zgartirishga urindim, chunki Malo Gusto qiynalayotganini payqadim,» dedi u. «Maresca Malo Gusto uchun qiyinchiliklar yaratdi. Keyin Maresca uning oÊ»rniga undan ustunroq oÊ»yinchi, Ris Jeymsni maydonga tushirdi. Bu «Chelsi»ga qarshi oÊ»ynashning oÊ»ziga xos qiyinchiligini namoyish etadi.»
Ikkinchi boʻlim, mohiyatan, Mourinyuning oʻyindan keyingi matbuot anjumaniga olib borayotgandek tuyuldi. Uning odatdagi jozibador ishtirokiga qaramay, bu kechagi vazmin uyga qaytishni aks ettirdi. Xuddi dushanba kuni boʻlgani kabi, Mourinyu eski tanishlari bilan qayta aloqa oʻrnatdi va ancha mulohazakorona kayfiyatni namoyish etdi. Haqiqatan ham, diqqat markazida bu boʻlib tuyuldi; kameralar uning suhbatlarini va bir tovoq pechenyeni suratga oldi, oʻyinning haqiqiy voqealari esa asosan chetda qoldi.
Ingliz tilida soÊ»zlar ekan, u oÊ»z merosiga toÊ»xtaldi: «Shporlar»dan kubokni qoÊ»lga kiritmasdan turib ishdan boÊ»shatilganligi haqidagi takroriy eslatma, sovrinlarni yutish uchun har qachongidan ham koÊ»proq gÊ»ayratli ekanligi haqidagi qatʼiy bayonoti va «Chelsi» bilan boÊ»lgan chuqur aloqasini yana bir bor taʼkidladi.
«Men ularga minnatdorchilik bildiraman,» dedi u, uni shunday iliq kutib olgan muxlislarga murojaat qilib. «Maydonda men oÊ»yinga berilib ketgandim, ammo ularning olqishlari aniq eshitilardi. Londonda boÊ»lganimda, ularni har kuni uchrataman. Bizning rishtamiz abadiy davom etadi, deb ishonaman. Umid qilamanki, yigirma yildan keyin nabiralarim bilan bu yerga qaytaman. Ular mening tariximning ajralmas qismi, xuddi men ularning tarixining bir qismi boÊ»lganim kabi.»
Ammo masala shunda emasmi? Bu asosan tarixga aylandi. Mourinyu «Men oÊ»zimni xotiralar bilan emas, balki gÊ»alabalar va natijalar bilan oziqlantiraman,» deb taʼkidlasa-da, u vaqt oÊ»tishi bilan eng muhim muammolarni yengish uchun zarur boÊ»lgan yirtqichlik qobiliyatini yoÊ»qotgan.
Uning hukmron kuch sifatidagi davri Tottenhamdan ketishi bilan tugadi, balki undan ham oldinroq. Uning Italiyaga, keyin Turkiyaga va endi oʻz kelib chiqqan joyiga qaytishi bu tanazzulning asosan eʼtiborsiz qolishiga imkon berdi. Biroq, bugun kechasi bunday emas. Bu oqshom uning oʻtmishdagi ulugʻvorligiga bagʻishlangan edi. Uning kelajakdagi potentsial yutuqlari, Chempionlar Ligasi kechasida, deyarli ahamiyatsiz tuyuldi.
