Derby will not decide 'big things' says Mourinho

SHOWS:

LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (JULY 10, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MANAGER, JOSE MOURINHO, ON IMPORTANCE OF DERBY AGAINST TOTTENHAM, SAYING:

"It's not a match this is going to decide big things. But, probably decides the only thing that we can fight for, both of us. I don't think realistically us or them are fighting for the Champions League position, so I think we are fighting for the only thing that we can fight for. One-point distance, four matches to go, one match is between us, then the remaining three of course are still important. It is a big match for the table, it's a big match for the table, and on top of that there is the rivalry."

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3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MANAGER, JOSE MOURINHO, ON MATCH OFFICIALS EXPLAINING THEIR DECISIONS, SAYING:

MOURINHO: "I think you should have access to them (match officials). I know the rules don't allow it. I think you should have access to them and to ask directly why (they made their decisions)."

REPORTER: "You think they should be made to maybe do interviews after the match? That would help?"

MOURINHO: "They are very important in a game. In a game it is players, managers, referees. I think so."

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5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MANAGER, JOSE MOURINHO, ON KEEPING CLEAN SHEETS AND SCORING GOALS SAYING:

"We want to try keep this defensive organisation that is giving us apart from Sheffield's three goals, is giving us good numbers (of clean sheets) and a team that was so hard to have a clean sheet, certainly in the short period has three. But we need to score goals."

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7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR MANAGER, JOSE MOURINHO, ON HIS ATTACKING OPTIONS, SAYING:

"No, our attacking players are very good. We cannot get better players than what we have. I like them all, and one thing is 'we are not scoring goals,' another thing is 'the players are not good enough,' and my players are very good

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LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (JULY 10, 2020) (ARSENAL VNR - ACCESS ALL)

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON MOURINHO'S START AS TOTTENHAM MANAGER, SAYING:

ARTETA: "Well they have some up and downs, but overall you can clearly see what he wants to bring to the club. He manages, you know, the energy, the momentum and establishes a really strong culture in every football club he has done it and as well he makes sure he wins and he has won in every single club that he's been (at). Obviously, the situation, the timing when he arrived is different than starting a new project right from the summer, but I am sure he will be successful. He's always been, he always finds the right way to do it and it will take him a little bit of time, but I am sure he will do it."

REPORTER: "Is he still a world class great manager for you?"

ARTETA: "Absolutely."

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11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON IF THE DERBY WILL BE HIGH-SCORING OR NOT, SAYING:

"You never know in a derby because when the passion and emotions kick, you know a lot of things can happen and from a very controlled game in 15 days (minutes) it can go to a completely different game. And that is something that we need to know how to manage as well. I've been involved in a few of them, so, there's always some surprises."

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13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARSENAL MANAGER, MIKEL ARTETA, ON ANY CHANGES TO GUNEDOUZI AND OZIL'S SITUATIONS, SAYING:

"No, no updates sorry."

STORY: Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho says his first north London derby on Sunday (July 10) is 'not a match that will decide big things' but knows the importance of bragging rights for fans.

With Tottenham in ninth place and Arsenal one place and one point better off, both clubs are not where they would like to be, although Europa League qualification is still possible.

Mourinho is used to battling for major silverware and while there is no medal for finishing as the top club in north London, Sunday's clash could prove crucial in deciding that issue.

Arsenal have been more impressive than Tottenham since the restart, especially in an attacking sense. Tottenham have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, but have managed only five goals in five games, compared to Arsenal's 10.

Mourinho also believes match officials should be obliged to explain their decisions after his side were involved in more VAR controversy this week.

Mourinho was left baffled after Harry Kane was denied what looked a clear penalty early on in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on Thursday (July 9), even though it was referred to the VAR officials.

On the same night Bruno Fernandes earned Manchester United a penalty at Aston Villa despite appearing to tread on Ezri Konsa's leg. Tottenham were also denied a Kane goal at Sheffield United after VAR ruled that Lucas Moura had used his arm despite being fouled and falling to the floor.

Michel Oliver was the VAR referee on both of the Tottenham incidents and he will be the on-pitch offical on Sunday (July 12) when Tottenham host Arsenal in the north London derby.

Mourinho preferred not to discuss Oliver during his news conference on Friday (July 10), but said officials should be forced to speak to managers to explain decisions.

"I think you should have access to them, I know the rules don't allow it. I think you should have access to them -- to ask directly why. Very important. They are very important in the game. A game is players, managers, referees, I think so."