Jose Mourinho ripped into his Benfica players in an astonishing post-match rant.Mourinho’s side needed two late goals to beat third-tier Atletico CP in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal.Mourinho wanted to make nine changes at half-timeAFPThe 62-year-old, who was appointed in September, admitted he wanted to take nine of his players off at half-time as he questioned their attitude.Mourinho’s rantIn a post-match interview, he said: “Our first half was poor. And it was poor in the sense that hurts me the most, which is when you’re poor in attitude. “There were many players who weren’t serious, who didn’t approach things as they should have. At half-time, I made four substitutions, but I would have liked to have made nine. “At half-time, I identified in the locker room the players I would gladly keep on. There were two who wanted to play. Games are to be taken seriously. The other nine weren’t. “In the second half, obviously, we improved a lot. Atlético couldn’t get out of their own half as they usually do, get throw-ins, that kid has a fantastic ability to put the ball into the box… It was only a matter of time before we scored. “If we had scored earlier, the result would certainly have been more decisive. But the attitude in the second half improved, we were completely dominant. I didn’t like the first half.”He added: “The attitude was poor. I was calm at half-time, but I was very honest. I said there were things I wouldn’t accept. “I didn’t make five changes because I couldn’t play 45 minutes without a single substitution. But I made four and I think they changed the game because of the intensity and seriousness.”Youngster Rodrigo Rego was one of the few players who played the full 90 minutes, with four changes made at the break and another in the second half.When asked about the 20-year-old, he said: “He is set to continue. I can’t say if he’ll remain a starter, or if he’ll play next Tuesday or not. Benfica won 2-0 but Mourinho took a swipe at his playersAFP“But I’m paying close attention, even though I’ve only been here a short time, to the youth players. And I knew one thing about him is I couldn’t predict if he would have a great game, if he would have a lot of quality in his play, but I knew he wouldn’t let me down. And I don’t like players who let me down. “Rego played a very positive, balanced game; he was one of the two I wouldn’t have taken off at half-time.”Benfica are third in the Liga Portugal and have yet to lose a league game this season, but are six points behind top of the table Porto.When asked about whether his messages are getting through to the squad, Mourinho replied: “The message is a general message, from Benfica supporters. In my case, I am the Benfica coach and the responsibility is mine, but the players also have one, fundamentally towards Benfica supporters. “And in terms of attitude, there are things that are non-negotiable and that I cannot accept. I am sure that Benfica forgives many things in general, but it does not forgive a lack of attitude.“The responsibility lies with the manager, and with me. When I criticise the players, I’m criticising myself for not getting the best out of them. Mourinho’s Benfica are still third in the tableGetty“That’s implicit. When I criticise the team and the players, I’m criticising myself.”Benfica are next in action in the Champions League on Tuesday against Ajax.