Benfica manager José Mourinho has warned that Real Madrid CF will pose a significant threat in their upcoming Champions League play off rematch, describing the Spanish side as “wounded and dangerous” following last month’s defeat.
Benfica secured a dramatic 4–2 victory over Madrid in their final league phase match, sealing a place in the play offs. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a remarkable 98th minute header to seal the win in Lisbon.
The defeat saw the 15 time European champions drop from third to ninth in the standings, missing out on automatic qualification.
“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” Mourinho said ahead of the first leg. “We will play with ambition and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League.”
Benfica, currently third in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, will host the first leg at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday at 20:00 GMT.
In the previous encounter, Benfica appeared on the verge of elimination despite leading 3–2. However, a late free kick against a nine man Madrid side, after dismissals for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo in stoppage time, allowed Trubin to score the decisive goal past Thibaut Courtois.
Mourinho, who previously managed Madrid, said the tie remains finely balanced.
“The tie will be very demanding. There is no definitive result in the first leg,” he said.
The victory marked Mourinho’s first win over his former club and helped Benfica reach the knockout stages despite losing their opening four league phase matches. Madrid, meanwhile, sit top of La Liga and will be aiming to overturn the deficit and reassert their dominance in Europe.
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