Benfica manager José Mourinho has cautioned that his team faces a “wounded and dangerous” Real Madrid in their crucial UEFA Champions League play-off rematch, warning that the Spanish giants will be at their most formidable as they seek to overturn the deficit from the first leg.
The veteran Portuguese tactician, who famously coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, understands better than most the mentality of Los Blancos when their backs are against the wall. Following Benfica’s dramatic victory in the first leg, Mourinho knows that Madrid will arrive at the Santiago Bernabéu desperate to salvage their Champions League campaign.
“A wounded Madrid is the most dangerous Madrid,” Mourinho told reporters during his pre-match press conference. “They have quality, experience, and the belief that comes from winning this competition multiple times. When you hurt Real Madrid, they respond. We must be prepared for their best performance.”
Benfica’s first-leg victory has put them in a favorable position to advance, but Mourinho is taking nothing for granted against a team that has built a legendary reputation for dramatic Champions League comebacks. Real Madrid’s history in Europe’s premier club competition is littered with seemingly impossible turnarounds that have broken the hearts of opponents.
The Special One emphasized that his players must approach the rematch with the same intensity and tactical discipline that secured the first-leg advantage, while also being smart about managing the game situation. He acknowledged that defending a lead at the Bernabéu presents unique psychological and tactical challenges.
“We cannot go there just to defend. Madrid feeds off teams that sit back and invite pressure,” Mourinho explained. “We need to be brave, maintain our identity, and hurt them when opportunities arise. But we also need to be intelligent about when to control the game.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has already indicated that his team will come out aggressively, needing to score early to shift momentum and put pressure on the Portuguese visitors. The Italian has a wealth of Champions League experience himself and knows how to prepare his players for high-stakes knockout football.
Mourinho’s tactical acumen will be tested as he seeks to balance offensive threat with defensive solidity against a Madrid attack that features world-class talent capable of changing games in moments. The Portuguese manager has historically excelled in knockout scenarios, but facing his former club adds an extra layer of complexity and emotion.
The Benfica boss also addressed the mental preparation required for his players, many of whom have less experience in these pressure-cooker Champions League environments compared to Madrid’s battle-hardened squad. He stressed the importance of staying calm and executing the game plan regardless of the intimidating atmosphere at the Bernabéu.
“Some of my players will experience something they’ve never felt before when they walk out at the Bernabéu with 80,000 Madrid fans screaming,” Mourinho said. “That’s where experience, preparation, and mental strength become crucial. We’ve talked about it, and I believe they’re ready.”
Real Madrid fans and players alike will be expecting their team to deliver a performance befitting the club’s storied Champions League legacy. The pressure is squarely on Los Blancos, who face potential elimination from a competition they have dominated in recent years, winning the trophy multiple times in the past decade.
Mourinho’s warnings reflect both respect for his opponent and an attempt to ensure his players don’t become complacent with their first-leg advantage. The manager knows that in Champions League knockout football, particularly against teams of Madrid’s caliber, no lead is safe until the final whistle.
The rematch promises to be a tactical chess match between two of football’s most decorated managers, with a place in the next round of the Champions League hanging in the balance. As Mourinho suggested, Benfica will need to be at their absolute best to withstand the onslaught from a wounded Real Madrid determined to keep their European dreams alive.
