All José Mourinho and Lukebakio said ahead of Chelsea v Benfica | OneFootball

José Mourinho and Dodi Lukebakio spoke with journalists, at the press conference previewing the match of the second round of the Champions League phase, between Benfica and Chelsea. Read below everything the two red elements said before the match with the blues.

An important Champions League match, between two teams seeking their best moment. Can the first few minutes be crucial?

"Much more than the first minutes, I'm expecting two teams that want to win. Obviously, I don't believe that Chelsea will play for anything else. They play at home, they lost the first game, and we, for a matter of club culture and also for the identity that I want to progressively give to the team, there will be no stadium or opponent that makes us think otherwise. Do we have to defend well? Obviously. But the goal is to try to win. Chelsea lost in Munich in a much more accessible schedule than ours. The points we lost were, initially, points that we thought we were going to add. And now we will have to go hunting for points in the seven games we have ahead. Is this game at Stamford Bridge, Real Madrid at Luz or Newcastle there more difficult? I can't say. Tomorrow we have to go for the points".

What do you value most in this return to 'home'? What steps does Benfica have to take to achieve great European dimension?

"Having a European dimension does not mean thinking about winning the competition immediately, we are so far from that. Even because it has just started. Thinking about it hurts us. We are in a phase where each point is fundamental. In a format where we all have little experience. Last year I played in the Europa League and I know the format, but it's a bit strange. It's a classification with so many teams that you don't play against. Each point is fundamental and I think no one will blame me if I say that, looking at the calendar, the 3 points for Qarabag would be the basis of the construction. We are in a more complicated situation because of this, but we start each game with the intention of getting them. Yes, I'm at home, but I've already played here with Tottenham, Man. United, Inter... And for 90 minutes, I didn't think for a second where I was, who I was playing with... As they say, 'I'm not a blue anymore'. I'm red and I want to win".

From what you worked on in the last days and hours, do you feel that Benfica can achieve something special tomorrow?

"The work was no work. But this work/no work was what the players needed the most. Finally, they had three days between games. Since I arrived, it was always two days between games and, when this starts to accumulate, we reached the last game with Gil Vicente in great difficulties. Some players even with red lights in the data we have. Finally, we had three days of no work. Tactical organization work for tomorrow is more passive than active. Today I would have liked to have trained in Seixal but it was not possible due to logistics. And today I had two options: either the training was open, you were there and I could not work tactically. The second option was 15 minutes open, without you there, but with the cameras that I put there 15 years ago... I think the players have great concentration in everything we talked about and analyzed. We will try to be at our best. Do I believe more in this work or in the field work? There is no possible comparison, I believe much more in the field work. But I think we will have principles of organization. And I think that, when that happens, we have the possibility to discuss the game".

What do you feel in this return to Stamford Bridge? Pedro Neto, earlier, revealed that he was close to Benfica and praised you. Would you like to have him in your Benfica?

"Of course I would... He's one of the best wingers in the world. Roberto, in the national team, is a privileged one. He has not only Pedro, but about four or five similar players. Here at Benfica we don't have so much of that profile. Of course I would like to have him. But he is in a completely different reality at an economic level and it is to forget. I wish him as always the best, that he does not have the injuries that in recent years were prohibitive, and that tomorrow he obviously does not have a great game. I wish him the best and thank him for his words. The sensations of arriving here were not so deep because I live right here, I pass practically here every day when I am in London. I know myself well. I played many times against previous [Chelsea] teams, Benfica will be the fourth club with which I come here. It's a stadium where I won't feel any kind of antagonism, I think. But it wouldn't hurt me either. We have different objectives. I can isolate myself without a problem".

Benfica has a dark past with Chelsea, never won and even lost a European final. José Mourinho only won here once. Do you believe that tomorrow you can end this jinx?

"I don't think Benfica has played here that many times... If we were talking about 10 games... The European final loses in overtime... I don't hold on to those numbers much. Usually, Portuguese teams don't have great results against the English because the English are strong. It's the pragmatism of the thing. They have a higher intensity, more useful playing time. In Portugal there is a lot of stoppage, a lot of teams that, instead of playing, prefer that the opponent does not play. Here there is a level above in different parameters. But of course I believe".

If you were given a sheet to sign now considering all the factors you have already talked about, would you sign a 0-0?

"No... I would go to the game. Maybe at minute 88, I would sign three times. It depends on the game. I always say that a draw is great if the opponent is much better. If Chelsea dominates us, if they don't let us play, the draw is signed with great joy. When the game hasn't started... And we're not talking about a 'knockout', we're playing for points. And any point serves in this type of format, helps to achieve, at least, the second objective. Let's play".

Do you feel that, at this time, it is more difficult for a Portuguese club to be European champion than it was 20 years ago? Can Lukebakio already play two consecutive games as a starter?

"He's going to play. He's going to start. I don't know how long. The other day, he did 60 and something minutes. We'll see tomorrow the intensity, what the game asks of him and the way he's going to adapt to a different rhythm. But he starts, I prefer it this way than saving him for 30 minutes. We're going to put him in the game and then we'll see. The formats change. The first time I played Champions as Mr. Robson's assistant, it was still the format where the 'knockout' was the beginning, then it was group stage, then semi-finals in one hand on the field of the one who had finished in 1st place in the group... In that semi-final it was Barcelona-FC Porto and Milan-Monaco. Then we moved to another format and now we are in this one. When I was European champion for the first time, it was that format that lasted longer. There were times when there was only one team per country... Then it started to expand to feed more people and more important federations. I'm still learning to know this format. There are so many sharks at the economic level that, increasingly, it is difficult for Portuguese teams. Benfica is a giant, a giant. I equate it at the historical and social level to the biggest clubs in Europe, much bigger than clubs that, economically, are much stronger than Benfica. At this moment, there are very powerful clubs. But we can compete with them in the game. And that's why, in response to your colleague, if I signed a draw, I sign nothing. We're going to play, compete and try to win".

Is this a decisive week for Benfica? And will you save players for the classic? With what happened at the General Assembly, how will you be able to shield the locker room?

"Ask me that question tomorrow after the game...".

If you look to the right, you have a picture of yourself. To the left, too... Of the five photographs in this room three are yours. Will your heart always be a little blue?

"Yes, of course. I will always be blue. I am part of Chelsea's history and they are part of mine. I helped Chelsea become a bigger club and they helped me become a bigger coach. When I said I'm not blue anymore, I think they understand. I'm talking about the work I have, what I have to do tomorrow. There aren't many clubs that have this habit of photographs. Many are afraid of what happened in the past, it seems they want to erase people. And that shows that Chelsea is a great club".

Once you said that, until another coach wins four Premier Leagues, you were the best. Do you think it's a good time to face Chelsea?

"Chelsea is a winning machine that, over the past few years, has not been able to win trophies. Chelsea won before me, continued to win, and then there was a transformation. New teams, new coaches... Chelsea is a winning machine. I am the greatest until someone wins four, yes. It's a fait-divers...".

It was here that you said you were the Special One. Do you hope to come back here one day to coach Chelsea again?

"You never know... After 25 years, I hoped to return to Portugal to coach the national team, not Benfica. And now I'm here. I don't have career projects. I try to think about what can happen or what can't happen. The most important thing is: wherever I am, I try to close that chapter. Now I'm at Benfica and I'm very happy. I have a great responsibility. I'm already many years old, in age and in football. Benfica is a giant club and the responsibility is giant for several reasons. You know me, you know how I am. Let's go for it tomorrow. Until the start of the game it will be 'my' Chelsea, during the game it is 'my' Benfica".

When you represented Man. United, you had a controversial moment here...

"Once, people thought I was reacting provocatively [as coach of Man. United]. Sarri behaved very well and so did Chelsea. On the bench everyone can have less good behaviors. In the end, nothing happened. On the street, they always ask me for pictures...".

Do you feel that coming to Chelsea was the best decision of your career? Would you accept to return to this project?

"At that time, I had different options. Even here in the Premier League. It was a happy marriage. The reason why I came back a second time was because I had been very happy the first time. And, as I said, I am important in Chelsea's history and Chelsea in mine. I think it was a fantastic decision I made at the time. To say it was the best? I can tell you which were the worst, clearly. But good decisions I made many".

There is an investigation underway about Chelsea's fair play breaches. Some happened when you were here...

"And at Manchester City? I don't know anything about that. I don't know what the charges are...".

With this new direction, Chelsea is different. How do you think you would fare working in this new model?

"I don't know what the model is, I never studied this new model. There was a period where, even seeing from the outside, I was asking some questions. It seemed that Chelsea had lost its identity. But what happened last season put Chelsea back on the right track. They gave responsibility to Enzo [Maresca], he imposed his ideas, and won the Conference League, which is an easy competition for such a big club. And then, in the Club World Cup... People can say that the Champions League is much more important, and I also say it, but that [champion] symbol means a lot. Congratulations to Chelsea for that. It built a base of confidence and even I feel it. My son comes here every week and knows that the feeling is different. That not so good period was of many doubts. Now there is confidence. I think Chelsea is back".

This morning, Joe Cole spoke about you. Do you think Chelsea can win the Champions League?

"Joe Cole always speaks well of me... Even if I make a mistake, Joe is my boy. We always support each other. I will always say that Joe Cole is the best player in history. It's something that was built and stays forever. The Champions League is much harder than the Club World Cup, but Chelsea has the potential to win it, yes".

How have you lived the last few days? The return to Dragão, then you were appointed coach of Benfica, now you meet Chelsea again...

"As a person, nothing changes. The fact that I am in Portugal, that I am now close to home... I have slept many times at Benfica Campus. I even tell you something that will be interesting for the Portuguese: I only had one training session with the full group. In the others, some were recovering, some were not for another reason. I haven't had time... I've just been trying to prepare the games, help the players. Tomorrow we're going to play, Wednesday we'll return to Lisbon, and it will be the first time I'm going to say 'go home, see you tomorrow'. It happened for the first time when I went to Tottenham. It's a very complicated situation. There's little time to think, I don't even think about myself".

Dodi Lukebakio's press conference:

Preview of the game.

"I think we are all ready. We didn't get the 3 points in the first game and now we are here to give everything and get them".

Do you already have the tank full to correspond to what Mourinho wants?

"The coach is here, you can ask him... I'm a player and I'm trying to give my best. If he thinks I'm ready and I can play... He's experienced and he knows that. My job is to give my best and do what I can".

How do you describe your first days at Benfica? How do you feel?

"I feel very good. A lot has changed. It's a new club. But I'm very happy, everyone welcomed me very well. I've met very good people so far at the club. I have a new coach, one of the best in the world. I don't say it because he's by my side, but he really is what he is... It's a dream, something very special. All players want to have a coach of this level. I'm excited and eager to learn more".

What do you think of Chelsea? What do you expect tomorrow?

"Chelsea is a big club and we have to be concerned. We will need to be prepared. They play at home and we know it will be a difficult game mentally. We need to listen to the coach and do what he asks us. The goal is clear, get the 3 points".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.