Chelsea stretched their unbeaten start to the season to a club record-equalling 16 games with a 1-1 Champions League draw against Maribor on Wednesday but the 2012 winners were given a mighty scare.
The Slovenian upstarts, destroyed 6-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, took the lead in the 50th minute when Macedonia winger Agim Ibraimi curled in a spectacular left-foot shot from the edge of the box.
Group G leaders Chelsea still look well placed to qualify for the knockout stages with eight points from four games. Schalke 04 have five points after losing 4-2 at Sporting Lisbon (four) on Wednesday and Maribor (three) are also in with a chance.
A grim-faced Mourinho, who brought on Diego Costa and Oscar for Andre Schuerrle and Willian at halftime and also replaced Filipe Luis with Ramires 11 minutes into the second half, was clearly unhappy with his side.
“We didn’t play well in the first half ... and when you don’t play well for 90 minutes you take a risk,” the Portuguese told Sky Sports television.
“In the last 30 minutes we started to play really well with intensity and desire and we had a lot of chances but their keeper was magnificent.”
