Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has warned that Real Madrid will be “wounded and dangerous” when the sides meet again in the Champions League play-offs following last month’s dramatic clash in Lisbon.
The Portuguese side stunned the 15-time European champions with a remarkable 4-2 victory in the league phase — a result that denied Madrid automatic qualification and set up another high-stakes encounter.
Dramatic Night In Lisbon
Benfica’s unforgettable win came at the Estadio da Luz, where goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a 98th-minute header to seal victory.
Real had been reduced to nine men after late red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, and Trubin powered home from a free-kick to send the stadium into raptures. The defeat dropped the Spanish giants from third to ninth in the standings, forcing them into the play-offs.
“A Wounded King Is Dangerous”
Former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who coached the club from 2010 to 2013, believes the backlash will be fierce.
“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” Mourinho said. “We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League, but this will be very demanding.”
The tie marks Mourinho’s first victory over his former club and comes despite Benfica losing their opening four matches in the league phase before mounting a stunning recovery.
No Guarantees In Two-Leg Battle
Benfica, currently third in the Primeira Liga, host the first leg on Tuesday night before travelling to Spain. Mourinho dismissed suggestions that first-leg results can determine the outcome of such contests.
“I’ve been doing this all my life,” he added. “People think you need a certain result in the first leg. I say there is no definitive result.”
Real Madrid arrive in strong domestic form, sitting top of La Liga and narrowly ahead of Barcelona, but Mourinho’s message was clear: underestimate Benfica at your peril.
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