MOURINHO: I'LL SALUTE CASILLAS

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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 also discussed Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle United, which required the Blues to come back from two goals down following a pitiful first-half display and battling performance from their lowly Premier League opponents.

"You can win matches by playing well for 45 minutes, but normally you have to play better for more than 45 minutes," he added. "To be untouchable in football, only consistency can give you that status.

"To be untouchable you have to be consistent. Right now, we have fantastic players but football is about today, not yesterday."

Regarding star striker Diego Costa being available in European matches in between a three-game ban in the Premier League for a scuffle with Gabriel, the manager added: "I'm glad we only have one Diego Costa due to the desire by others to suspend him."







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 said everybody in his squad is fit and ready to play against Porto aside from injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.