Mourinho’s Determined Strategy Following Benfica’s Defeat

In September, Jose Mourinho signed a contract with Benfica, extending until 2027. Following the team’s defeat against Braga in the League Cup semi-finals, Mourinho took the decision to have his players remain at Benfica’s training facility. He expressed a desire for them to reflect deeply rather than rest.

Benfica faced a challenging match on Wednesday, suffering a 3-1 loss and finishing the game with 10 players after Nicolas Otamendi, a former Manchester City defender, received a red card.

Mourinho, who has been managing the team since September, indicated that his players would continue to stay at the Seixal training base for the time being. “The players will sleep in Seixal, with training scheduled for Thursday and again the following day,” he stated during a press conference after the Braga match.

“Since there is no final on Saturday, our next game will be against Porto next Wednesday. When we return to Seixal, everyone will head to their rooms. I hope the players sleep as poorly as I do, which is to say, not at all. That’s my wish for them—to be restless and think deeply, just as I will.”

Mourinho began his managerial career with Benfica in 2000 but left after only 10 games due to a disagreement with the club’s president. In his current tenure, he has achieved 14 victories in 23 matches, with Wednesday’s defeat breaking an impressive 11-game unbeaten streak.

“On Thursday, we can initiate discussions, which was lacking in the locker room today,” Mourinho noted. “In the locker room, it was a monologue, and I prefer a dialogue with my players. We will address the differences observed between the first and second halves and prepare thoroughly for the upcoming match against Porto.”

Benfica is set to face Porto in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup on Wednesday, currently sitting third in the Primeira Liga, trailing the leaders by 10 points.