Real Madrid vs Benfica: Mourinho adds spice as Madrid seek direct Champions League last 16 qualification | OneFootball

Qualification battle meets old grudges in Lisbon

Real Madrid vs Benfica: Mourinho adds spice as Madrid seek direct Champions League last 16 qualification

Real Madrid face Benfica on Wednesday needing win to secure direct qualification, with former coach Jose Mourinho adding extra tension.

Real Madrid will look to confirm their direct place in Champions League round of 16 when they visit Benfica on Wednesday in final matchday of the league phase.

Madrid sit third in the table with 15 point and victory in Lisbon would guarantee they avoid the play-off round. It

would also give them an important advantage allowing them to play second leg at home in the next stage.

However the biggest storyline is not only the qualification battle but the presence of Jose Mourinho, Benfica’s coach and one of Madrid’s most controversial former managers.

Mourinho’s Benfica still fighting

Benfica’s hopes of reaching the play-offs are slim. Mourinho’s side must win and also depend on other results to go their way.

Even so the Portuguese manager has strong motivation. Facing Real Madrid, European champions 15 time brings major meaning especially with one of his former players, Alvaro Arbeloa, now in charge of Los Blancos.

Mourinho won the Champions League with Porto in 2004 & Inter Milan in 2010 but he never lifted the trophy with Madrid during his spell between 2010 and 2013 when Barcelona were dominant in Spain & Europe.

Mourinho’s comment before the match

The build-up has been heated after Mourinho appeared to take swipe at Arbeloa last week.

He said it was “surprising” that coaches “with no history” are given the chance to manage the biggest clubs in the world.

The remark was widely seen as criticism of Real Madrid appointing Arbeloa in January after the departure of Xabi Alonso.

Arbeloa who previously coached Madrid’s reserve side, is now in his first job with the senior team.

Arbeloa responds calmly

Despite Mourinho’s reputation for provocative statements, Arbeloa responded with respect.

The 43 year old said Mourinho still means a lot to him and explained that when such experienced coach speaks, he listens and reflects.

The two men once shared a strong bond, with Arbeloa considered one of Mourinho’s most loyal players during their time together in Madrid.

Mourinho’s history against Madrid

Since leaving Real Madrid in 2013, Mourinho has faced his former club only once.

His Manchester United side lost 2-1 to Madrid in the 2017 Super Cup in North Macedonia.

While Madrid moved on from the Mourinho era some of the tension he brought especially around refereeing debates in Spain, has resurfaced in recent years.