Speaking to Sky Sport Italia about Benfica`s 1-0 loss to Chelsea, José Mourinho humorously remarked, upon learning that Paolo Di Canio was a pundit, “He`ll be glad I lost.” This playful jab added a lighter note to the post-match commentary.
Mourinho made a significant return to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday to play against his former team, Chelsea. However, his current side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat, with the decisive goal unfortunately being an own goal scored by Richard Rios.
Mourinho`s Dig: “Di Canio Will Be Happy with My Loss”
During his post-match interview with Sky Sport Italia, the Portuguese coach was informed by the London reporter that the studio panel included prominent figures such as Goran Pandev, Alessandro Costacurta, Fabio Capello, and notably, Paolo Di Canio.
“Greetings to everyone in the studio,” Mourinho stated, as reported by Corriere dello Sport. He then added with a wry smile, “Paolo Di Canio will certainly be pleased with my defeat, but I extend my regards to him nonetheless.”
Di Canio`s History of Criticizing Mourinho
Di Canio`s only immediate response to Mourinho`s comment was a visible smile, while the other pundits continued to analyze the game alongside the former Inter and Roma manager.
It`s well-known that Di Canio has been a vocal critic of Mourinho in the past, particularly during the Portuguese`s tenure as the Roma coach and following his subsequent dismissal in January 2024. Their history suggests a degree of professional rivalry.
Looking ahead, Mourinho`s Benfica squad is also slated to compete against Serie A giants Napoli and Juventus in the Champions League group stage this season, setting the stage for more high-profile encounters.
