Benfica vs Real Madrid: Mourinho fires warning before Champions League clash
Just 16 days on from their epic Champions League showdown, Benfica and Real Madrid do battle once again in the play-off round this Tuesday.
José Mourinho believes Real Madrid will be “dangerous” when they face Benfica in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off clash at Estádio da Luz.
The Portuguese coach, who finally earned his first victory against Madrid earlier this season, expects a strong response from the Spanish giants after their recent setback.
“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” Mourinho said when previewing the matchup against his former club.
Benfica return to the same stadium where they secured one of the most dramatic Champions League results in recent memory. Goals from Andreas Schjelderup and a penalty from Vangelis Pavlidis overturned an early strike by Kylian Mbappé in a chaotic encounter that also saw late red cards for Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic 98th-minute header, becoming only the fifth goalkeeper to score in Champions League history.
Despite Benfica’s recent home success in Europe — including consecutive home wins in the competition — data projections still favor Madrid, with Opta simulations giving the Spanish side nearly a 49% chance of winning the first leg, compared to Benfica’s 27% probability.
Still, Mourinho is confident the underdog role could motivate his team.
“Real Madrid is Real Madrid — history, ambition, and experience,” Mourinho said. “But football has its own power, and we can win.”
