Mourinho Singles Out Gusto in Post-Match Critique of Chelsea Performance
In the wake of Chelsea’s narrow 1–0 victory over Benfica in their latest UEFA Champions League encounter, former Chelsea manager José Mourinho did not hold back, identifying Malo Gusto as a player who “struggled” during the match.
Mourinho’s Assessment
Speaking to the media after the game, Mourinho remarked:
“We saw Malo Gusto was struggling. Enzo Maresca put on a better player than Malo Gusto.”
In his view, Gusto was unable to meet the defensive demands posed by Benfica’s attack. Mourinho further implied that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca recognized this and made the substitution in order to shore up the backline.
Tactical Changes & Team Response
Gusto had started in the right-back position in place of Reece James, who was rested for the match. However, Mourinho felt that the switch didn’t pay off fully, hence Maresca’s decision to bring in James later.
Despite his criticism, Mourinho acknowledged the overall challenge of facing Chelsea, noting that in such matches substitutions and adjustments are often decisive.
Implications & Reactions
For Gusto: The criticism from Mourinho adds pressure on the young French fullback to improve his performances, especially in high-stakes European fixtures.
For Maresca: The substitution and his tactical judgment will likely draw attention, particularly given that Mourinho, his predecessor at Chelsea, was critical of that choice immediately after the game.
For Chelsea’s defensive unit: The remarks may prompt internal discussions on positional rotations and readiness of backups, especially against top-tier European opposition.