Jose Mourinho has blasted Patrick Vieira for complaining he was dropped against Manchester United. “He should be honest with you.”
The midfielder was not included in the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League encounter and told French newspaper L’Equipe he was “very surprised” at that snub, because he was fit.
In today’s Press conference, the Inter Coach painted a very different picture of the situation.
“Vieira is not fit to start tomorrow against Roma. How many games has he played this season? How long has he been without injury enough to train for two or three weeks consecutively?
“I know you [the media] like Patrick and believe me, I like him even more. It would positive for you if he was on the field, but it would be fantastic for me.
“This team really needs him, but if he doesn’t play it is purely because he is not match fit.”
That sugar-coated explanation on the table, Mourinho then pulled out the bitter pill for Vieira to swallow.
“As for his disappointment at not being called for the United game, if he is honest – and I know he is – he has to tell you what he told me.
“Before the game he came to me and said he was disappointed at being left out, but also aware he was not in the right condition to play a big game like this. If he told me that, then he should tell you as well, because otherwise people create the image of a conflict.
“It’s simply not true, this idea that the player is ready and the Coach is holding him back. Patrick was in my office and admitted: ‘I am disappointed and would really like to play, I did everything I could to be ready, but I am not fully fit.’ That’s the truth.”
Vieira is in the squad to face Roma on Sunday evening, but is unlikely to feature as anything other than a late substitute.
“He needs to play, but I need to win and can only do that with players who can give their all for 90 minutes with the right intensity a match needs,” continued Mourinho.
“Patrick will be on the bench because he is a player of great quality who I want to be match fit again, but it all depends on the situation.
“If I can give him five, 10 or 20 minutes to get back in shape then I will, but I cannot perform miracles.”
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