Benfica manager José Mourinho has cautioned that Real Madrid will be even more dangerous when both sides meet again in the UEFA Champions League play-offs, describing the Spanish giants as a “wounded king.”
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated rematch, Mourinho reflected on Benfica’s dramatic 4-2 victory over Madrid in last month’s final league-phase encounter, a result that stunned European football.
That unforgettable night in Lisbon saw goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin score a dramatic 98th-minute header to seal the win. The defeat proved costly for the 15-time European champions, who slipped from third to ninth in the standings and missed out on automatic qualification for the knockout stages.
“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” Mourinho said, acknowledging that Madrid will be eager to respond. “We will approach the first leg with intelligence, ambition and confidence. We know what we achieved against 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 night. In their previous meeting, the Portuguese side appeared on the brink of elimination despite holding a 3-2 lead.
However, a late free-kick against a nine-man Madrid following red cards to Raul Asencio and Rodrygo deep into stoppage time created the opportunity for Trubin’s historic goal past Thibaut Courtois.
Looking ahead, Mourinho stressed that the upcoming tie would be fiercely contested.
“This will be a very demanding match, without any doubt,” he said. “Trubin won’t be leading the attack at the Luz this time. I’ve experienced many ties like this. People often believe the first-leg result determines everything, but there is no definitive result.”
The victory last month was particularly significant for Mourinho, marking his first win against his former club. It also completed an impressive turnaround for Benfica, who recovered from losing their first four league-phase matches to reach the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, Madrid remain a formidable force despite the setback. They currently sit top of La Liga, narrowly ahead of rivals Barcelona, and will be determined to restore their authority on the European stage.
With pride, revenge and progression at stake, the stage is set for a gripping encounter as Benfica aim to build on their momentum while Madrid seek redemption.
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