Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Moura spoke to the Brazilian media following the 4-2 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League this Tuesday.
Besides praising the team’s efforts after such their comeback, the winger was also asked about the impact José Mourinho has been having on the team when compared with Mauricio Pochettino.
Moura was quizzed by Esporte Interativo about the difference between the Argentine and the Portuguese managers, and said: “I think besides the different philosophy, I think each coach has a head, has a way of thinking. I think he brings a new motivation, right?
“Players who hadn’t been playing want to show service, want to get their space and that brings new motivation to the team, everyone wants to show. And I think the experience he has, his baggage needs no comment, a champion wherever he’s been. And I’m happy to be having opportunities. I hope I can live up to it, I hope I can come in and help. And keep on winning, which is our goal.”
Mourinho recently said in an interview that he tried to sign Lucas for Real Madrid back in 2012. The player himself has now confirmed this story.
“Yes, I knew at the time I was at São Paulo. My parents and my manager even traveled to negotiate. And it turned out that it didn’t evolve much, PSG also went into business and I decided to go to Paris. And when I first met him here he said ‘I’ve been with your parents, send them a hug’. So it was really cool. Things of life, right?
“I’m glad to have that confidence from him. To be having these opportunities he’s giving me. It’s very important for the player to feel this confidence. Know that the coach has this expectation about you. And this is very good. As I said, I hope I can do this, I will do my best to give my best every day to please him.”
“É muito importante sentir que o treinador confia em você”. Lucas falou sobre a nova fase, agora com José Mourinho à frente do Tottenham. O brasileiro foi titular nas duas partidas sob comando do português. Entrevista exclusiva para nosso repórter @ArthurQuezada #CasaDaChampions pic.twitter.com/aP8XUPFXrv
— Esporte Interativo (@Esp_Interativo) November 27, 2019
Earlier this week, we covered a report from Brazil which stated Lucas Moura was pretty excited with Mourinho’s arrival at the club.
The winger wasn’t very happy in his last months under Pochettino. That’s something that dates back to the Champions League final, when he was left on the bench, despite being the hero in the semi-final against Ajax.
Then he continued being mostly a reserve player until the arrival of Mourinho, who’s given him two starts in his two games in charge.
