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Why scheming Jose Mourinho will relish Real Madrid showdown as Benfica seek major Champions League upset
You cannot write the scripts of Jose Mourinho. After his Benfica side scraped 24th place in the Champions League table with a dramatic 4-2 win over Real Madrid three weeks ago, Mourinho’s side will now face the Spanish giants for a place in the last 16.
Here, DAZN News looks back at the 63-year-old’s stormy spell in charge of Los Blancos ahead of the first leg of their play-off clash in Lisbon tonight's first-leg clash in Lisbon.
From ‘The Special One’ to ‘The Normal One’
In May 2010, Mourinho was unveiled as the new manager of Real Madrid after signing a four-year deal at the club.
Real had not won a trophy in the two years preceding Mourinho's appointment and he replaced Manuel Pellegrini to become their 11th coach in seven years.
"I like to give myself a challenge and this is a big one," said Mourinho upon his unveiling.
"I have a lot of confidence in myself and my ability as a coach."
Sporting director Jorge Valdano said: "It's an honour to have one of the most prestigious coaches in the world."
Mourinho, once on the coaching staff at Barcelona, moved to Spain after Real and his former club Inter Milan agreed a compensation package.
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His three fractious years as Madrid coach came to an end in 2013, after winning just one La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa.
Mourinho finished second in La Liga in his first season – four points behind Barcelona – but won the title a year later, amassing a record 100 points in the process.
However, in his third and final season Mourinho cast a sulky figure, labelling it “the worst of my career.”
He argued with established players such as Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, and was sent from the dugout for protesting a referee's decision during the Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico.
Real also lost in the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of their three seasons under Mourinho, whose departure at the end of the 2012-13 campaign suited all parties.
"Nobody's been sacked, it's a mutual agreement," said Madrid president Florentino Perez.
"We've decided to bring our relationship to an end."
Benfica return and Madrid reunion
After leaving the Spanish capital, Mourinho went on to manage Chelsea for a second time before spells at Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Roma and Fenerbache.
Last September, he rocked up at Benfica on a deal until the summer of 2027; less than a month after being dismissed by Fenerbahce following a Champions League play-offs defeat by…yes, you’ve guessed, it, Benfica.
Mourinho began his managerial career with Benfica in 2000 but lasted only 10 games before leaving following a dispute with the club president.
This season has seen Benfica lag behind in the Portuguese title race and they are currently in third behind leaders Porto and second-placed Sporting Club.
Benfica are seven points off the summit, so any league title success appears unlikely this term, and they lost their first four Champions League games this season.
That said, Mourinho’s side are in fine fettle as they prepare to face Madrid, who have won the competition a record 15 times.
They have gone five games unbeaten in all competitions, winning four of them including that unforgettable win over Mourinho’s former club in the Champions League.
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A Champions League game for the ages
Mourinho had never beaten his former club until masterminding a stunning 4-2 victory over Los Blancos three weeks ago at Estadio da Luz.
Benfica looked set to go out in heartbreaking style, but goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin incredibly scored in the 98th minute to send them through on goal difference against a Madrid side who had Raul Asencio and Rodrygo sent off in added time.
The Ukrainian timed his run to perfection to meet the cross with a bullet header past opposite number Thibaut Courtois to spark wild celebrations in Lisbon.
And so the sides will meet again in the play-offs with Madrid having finished ninth in the league phase and Benfica scraping into the final spot in 24th place.
They meet in the first leg tonight in Lisbon before the second leg takes place in Madrid next Wednesday.
The return game in the Spanish capital has the added intrigue of Mourinho having not coached a team at the Bernabéu since leaving in 2013.
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Could Mourinho down the 15-time champions of Europe?
Benfica, no stranger to mind games, has likened Madrid to a wounded animal as he prepares to face them.
Having beaten them in such dramatic fashion three weeks ago, Mourinho says the Spanish giants will be desperate to avenge that costly defeat.
Mourinho said: "They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous.
"We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League."
The scheming veteran boss insisted nothing would be decided tonight with the decisive second leg to come next week.
He added: "I'm very used to these kinds of ties.
"I've been doing it all my life. People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result."
As usual, when Mourinho is involved, these two games will not be for the faint-hearted. And how he would love to stick the knife into his former club and show that he can still sprinkle his stardust on the highest stage.
Could he do it? You wouldn't rule it out.
Full Champions League fixture list for knockout play-offs
Tuesday, 17 February
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
- Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Wednesday, 18 February
- Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
- Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
- Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
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