If any story sums up what Chelsea can expect from Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, it is one from a couple of years ago, when José Mourinho was still coach of Real Madrid.
In December 2012, the Portuguese’s side welcomed Diego Simeone’s Atlético to the Bernabeu. It was a tense, febrile affair, as Madrid derbies always are. Mourinho seemed determined to play peacemaker — instructing his own fans not to abuse Simeone — but, midway through the first half, he appeared to grow agitated by his opposite number and his Atlético deputy, Germán Burgos using the visiting team’s technical area at the same time.
The rules state that only one member of the coaching staff can be present, and everyone knows how important the rules are to Mourinho. Burgos, though, took exception to his chiding. He meandered across to Real’s bench. Mourinho had form for this sort of thing: it was 18 months or so since the contretemps with Tito Vilanova, then Barcelona’s assistant, in which Mourinho poked him in the eye.
Burgos is rather bigger than Vilanova. He is rather less reserved. He is more street-fighter than student. He looked at Mourinho. He tapped his chest, pointed to his face, and said: “I am not Tito. I will rip your f***ing head off.”
