Mourinho may bank on Barreiro for Benfica v Braga in Champions League push | OneFootball

José Mourinho has no margin for error against Braga as Benfica chase a place in next season’s Champions League, and he hopes to keep relying on Leandro Barreiro’s recent form.

A Bola reports that the Luxembourg midfielder has been one of the season’s standouts and integral to Mourinho’s set-up. He has started the last four matches and completed 90 minutes each time.

His prominence has grown since Mourinho’s arrival, the coach having identified his potential. Valued by the Special One, Barreiro has been used as an attacking midfielder behind the striker, mixing high pressing, ball recovery and a threat in scoring areas.

Valued at €15 million, he has made 48 competitive appearances for Benfica this season. That includes 29 in Liga Portugal Betclic, 13 in the Champions League, three in the Taça de Portugal, two in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. Across 2,851 minutes he has scored five goals and supplied seven assists.

Mourinho is allegedly very close to Real Madrid, but his immediate aim is to move closer to the Champions League objective against Braga.

Source: Glorioso 1904