Jose Mourinho Calls out 'failed Sharks' of The Champions League After Real Betis draw

• Jose Mourinho’s Roma is in real danger of failing to progress to the next round of the Europa League
• A 1-1 draw against Real Betis left Roma with four points in Europa League Group A
• Mourinho admitted it was going to get harder once the ‘failed sharks’ of the Champions League dropped to the second tier European competition

Jose Mourinho aimed a thinly-veiled jab at the underperforming clubs in the 2022/23 Champions League, referring to them as ‘failed sharks’.

The Portuguese tactician has never been one to back away from controversy and has developed a reputation of coming up with sensational statements.

On Thursday, he was at it again after his Roma side rescued themselves in a 1-1 draw against Real Betis.

Defeat against the Spanish side would have all but confirmed Roma’s exit from the Europa League, but a draw leaves their fate in their own hands.

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The Italian giants are third in Group A, which is led by Betis who have 10 points, while Bulgarian side Ludogorets sit second with seven points.

After the game on Thursday, Mourinho was asked whether Betis were among the favourites to win this year’s competition.

"I see them [Betis] as candidates, but the failed sharks of the Champions League will arrive, and they will come in hard," Mourinho said as quoted on Eurosport.com.

"They shouldn't come but it's the reality. It's going to be fun. The failures of the Champions League."

Mourinho was obviously referring to the teams who will finish third in their respective groups in the Champions League, who would thus be relegated to Europe’s second-tier competition.

As per the UEFA Champions League current standings, there are a number of heavy hitters who are bound for the Europa League with two rounds of matches to go including:

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• Ajax

• Atletico Madrid

• Barcelona

• Sporting Lisbon

• AC Milan

• Shakhtar Donetsk

• Sevilla

• Juventus

Bodo/Glimt manager’s subtle dig at Mourinho

Earlier, Sports Brief also reported of how the Bodo/Glimt boss decided to aim a dig at Mourinho while giving Mikel Arteta the ultimate compliment.

Kjetil Knutsen was asked whether he met up with Mikel Arteta after the 1-0 defeat on Thursday, October 13, and he responded by saying Arteta showed class, unlike Mourinho, who had ‘100 excuses’ last year.

Mourinho’s Roma lost 6-1 to the Norwegian side last year.