Jose Mourinho believes Real Madrid are “hurt” after their shock defeat to Benfica and does not think it will take a miracle to surprise the Spanish giants again. champions league.
Benfica 4-2 victory over Madrid They clinched the final playoff spot in the final round of the league, knocking the 15-time champions out of eight automatic spots for the Round of 16 in the process.
Mourinho’s Benfica and his former club meet again in Lisbon on Tuesday in the first leg of the knockout stages.
“They are injured,” Mourinho said on Monday. “And an injured king is dangerous. We will play the first leg with all our might, with ambition and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League.”
Mourinho admitted Madrid were still heavily favored and Benfica would need a near-perfect showing to advance.
“I don’t think it will take a miracle for Benfica to beat Real Madrid. I think we need to be at the highest level. I don’t say high, I mean the best, I mean almost perfect, but there is no such thing. But it’s not a miracle.”
“Real Madrid is Real Madrid with history, knowledge and ambition. The only comparison is that we are two giants. There is nothing else. But football has this power and we can win.”
Benfica’s dramatic victory in Lisbon three weeks ago previous header Goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin scored the goal, giving the team 24th place on goal difference and the last spot to advance to the finals.
Manager Mourinho joked, “Trubin will not be part of the attacking team this time.”
“I’m used to this kind of bonding. I’ve been doing it all my life,” he said. “People often think they need a certain result in the first leg for one reason or another. I say there is no definitive result.”
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