The Chelsea manager has played down any chance of
him snubbing the former Real Madrid goalkeeper in
their Champions League tie with Porto on Tuesday
Jose Mourinho claims he will "salute" Iker Casillas in
Tuesday's Champions League clash between Chelsea and
Porto, in which the goalkeeper will become the
competition's record appearance holder.
The coach is renowned for having feuded with Casillas
behind the scenes in his final season at Real Madrid, in
which there were allegations that his captain was
leaking team news to media ahead of games.
Despite their past differences, Mourinho says there will
be no bad blood between him and the Spain
international - who swapped Madrid for Porto this
summer - at the Estadio do Dragao.
"I know what you're asking," the Portuguese coach said
when a Spanish reporter began asking a question
regarding the veteran shot-stopper, who is set to play
for a record 152nd time in the Champions League.
"I'll salute Casillas tomorrow. There's no point wasting
time discussing it."
Mourinho ignited his managerial career at Porto just
over a decade ago when he won the Uefa Cup followed
by the Champions League and he praised Julen
Lopetegui's men - who reached the last eight of the
Champions League last season - for their quality squad.
"The fact Porto are top of the Portuguese league is
totally normal because of the quality of their squad,"
he continued. "Away games in the Champions League
are always difficult.
"Porto are a big side and want to win, but they also
know we are not a weak team."
Mourinho added that everybody in his squad is fit and
ready to play against Porto aside from injured
goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Chelsea defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 in their opening
group stage game of the campaign and followed that up
with a 2-0 win at Arsenal, but their early-season
struggles continued on Saturday when they 2-2 with
Newcastle United.
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