Mourinho has arrived with sharp remarks directed at Real Madrid ahead of Benfica's first UCL playoff match.
On 16 February 2026, José Mourinho, coach of Benfica, the third-ranked team in the Portuguese league, spoke before the first leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League playoff round, where Benfica will host La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Tuesday, 17 February.
Benfica recently won 4-2 at home against Real Madrid in the final league phase match of the UEFA Champions League on 28 January, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a closing header from a free kick during injury time at 90+8 minutes.
This result left Benfica in 24th place in the league phase, still advancing to the playoff round thanks to a goal difference just one better than 25th-ranked Olympique Marseille, while dragging Real Madrid into the playoffs as well after finishing 9th, just one point behind 8th-placed Manchester City.
José Mourinho spoke about his former team, the "Los Blancos" Real Madrid, whom he worked with from 2010 to 2013, ahead of their rematch, saying, "They are wounded, and a wounded king is dangerous."
"We will play the first match with determination, ambition, and confidence. We know exactly what we must do against the kings of the UEFA Champions League."
"I have done this all my life. People often think you must achieve a certain result in the first leg for various reasons. I will say there is no such thing as a guaranteed result."