Mourinho highlights Ramadan effect

الأحد، 23 أغسطس 2009 - 22:50

كتب : Sherif Tarek

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho believes that Sulley Muntari put on a lackluster performance during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Bari because of 'a few problems linked to Ramadan'.

Inter's new signing Samuel Eto'o converted a penalty to open the scoring on 56 minutes in the Serie A match.

But Belarusian striker Vitali Kutuzov secured a share of spoils in the 74th minute after a defensive lapse, to prevent the defending champions from scoring an opening win.

Mourinho substituted Muntari in the break, and during the post-match press conference he implied that he may not play the Muslim midfielder again during the holy month of Ramadan.

"Sulley Muntari's substitution was the consequence of my dissatisfaction with how the team had started the match," the Portuguese tactician stated.

"Yesterday (Saturday) I said I was expecting a difficult match, a Bari full of motivation, and perhaps I was expecting a bit more from my team, but I knew it wouldn't be easy.

"Vieira played an excellent first half. I substituted him because I changed system. Instead, with Muntari I think he had a few problems linked to Ramadan.

"Perhaps it's not positive for him to be in this situation with this heat."

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