Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he and striker Diego Costa have made up with “kisses and cuddles” after their halftime row in Tuesday’s 4-0 Champions League win over Israeli opponents Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The pair appeared to be engaged in an angry exchange of views as they headed towards the players’ tunnel at halftime.
Mourinho took issue with Costa’s lack of movement in the first half, but the Spain international went on to finish the match after the 52-year-old Portuguese displayed a more tender side in the dressing room.
Costa was involved in the major flashpoint of the first half, after he was chopped down by a terrible challenge from Maccabi’s Tal Ben Haim, which led to the former Chelsea defender receiving his marching orders.
“With Diego, I wanted him to do a certain movement that he didn’t, and I was disappointed and reacted and he reacted too, but at halftime in the dressing room, there were a few kisses and cuddles,” Mourinho told reporters after the game.
Chelsea’s win moved them level on 10 points, with Mourinho’s former side Porto at the top of Group G. Goals by Gary Cahill, Willian, Oscar and Kurt Zouma secured the victory for the Blues.
Mourinho said the result flattered his side.
“I think we played very well in the first half, the pitch didn’t help,” Mourinho said.
“In the second, we slept a bit for the first 15-20 minutes waiting for the second goal to come, and only when we were again in danger did we react well. No doubt about the victory, but I think Maccabi deserved a bit more than that.”
The two meet in their final group game on December 9, when a point for Mourinho’s side will be enough to see them progress to the last 16.