JOSE MOURINHO has attacked the "stupid" football philosophers who have criticised Chelsea's way of playing as negative.
Jose Mourinho insists he is well within his rights to play counter-attacking football[GETTY]He has been stung by the accusations following the 2-0 win at Liverpool on Sunday and the goalless draw in the first leg of their Chapions League semi-final against Ateltico Madrid.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was scathing about Chelsea's tactics at Anfield - but the pair have made up after a text exchange on Monday.
Mourinho, whose team face Atletico in the return tonight at Stamford Bridge with the prospect of a final in Lisbon on May 24 at stake, said: "Football is full of philosophers. People who understand much more than me. But the reality is the reality. A team that doesn't defend well doesn't have much chances of winning. A team who doesn't score lots of goals, if they concede lots, is in trouble.
"A team without balance is not a team. This is the football I know. I remember saying in my first period here, if you have a goalkeeper like Petr Cech who puts the ball in the opponents' box and a striker like Didier Drogba who wins everything in the air, why would you play short? Because you are stupid?
"If your opponents are very fast on the counter and you give them that space - you are stupid."
Mourinho added: "Brendan is somebody I consider my friend. I met him a long time ago when he was a very young coach. I know his words after Sunday's match but yesterday he congratulated us for a great victory and a great performance.
Mourinho claims Brendan Rodgers has congratulated him on Chelsea's win at Liverpool [GETTY]If your opponents are very fast on the counter and you give them that space - you are stupid
"I prefer to forget his words after the match and I keep yesterday's word.
"Brendan is an intelligent guy. He watched the match for sure on video and now I think he understood what happened."
Mourinho, who is in his fifth successive semi-final and is going for his third Champions League triumph with his third different club, will welcome back skipper John Terry tonight, as well as 17-goal top scorer Eden Hazard.
Chelsea, who won the trophy in 2012, will be missing the suspended Frank Lampard and Ramires, while Mark Schwarzer will deputise for the injured Petr Cech in goal.
Ironically, Chelsea will be facing their own goalkeeper at the other end of the pitch in in Belgian Thibaut Courtois, in his third season on loan at Atletico.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone was adamant he would be able to handle the pressure and said: "He'll be able to handle it without a problem.
"He's working hard to compete to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He's still very young, he needs time to grow. We know we face a tough task tonight. But with our hard work, we can get a result."
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