Mourinho’s next Champions League test brings him back to his Real Madrid past | OneFootball

Blockbuster reunion awaits in Europe’s knockout stage

Mourinho’s next Champions League test brings him back to his Real Madrid past

Real Madrid will meet Benfica in Champions League playoff round setting up major reunion with coach Jose Mourinho.

A blockbuster playoff match

The Champions League playoff draw held on Friday produced high profile clash between Real Madrid & Benfica.

The two side already met on Wednesday in the final match of the league phase when Benfica secured thrilling 4-2 home victory.

That result helped the Portuguese team book place in the playoff round and sent Madrid into extra knockout step.

Now the teams will face each other again with one of the biggest storylines being the presence of Jose Mourinho on the Benfica bench.

Mourinho back in the spotlight against Madrid

Mourinho now 63 coached Real Madrid between 2010 & 2013 and remains one of the most famous managers in the club’s modern history.

The Portuguese coach has also enjoyed major Champions League success in the past winning the competition with Porto & Inter Milan.

The upcoming tie will be the seventh time Mourinho has faced Real Madrid as opponent.

Before Benfica’s win on Wednesday, his record against Los Blancos included four defeat, one draw and only one victory which came in the most recent meeting.

A Long rivalry across Europe

Mourinho first played against Real Madrid as Porto coach in February 2000 losing both group stage matches.

The sides met again during the 2003 /04 season when Madrid won one match and drew the other.

Another notable encounter came in Super Cup on 8 August 2017 when Mourinho’s Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by Madrid.

Benfica’s latest triumph finally gave Mourinho rare win over his former club and added extra tension ahead of the playoff showdown.

The second leg of the playoff is scheduled for 24 or 25 February and it will mark Mourinho’s first visit to the Santiago Bernabeu since leaving Real Madrid in 2013.

With both clubs aiming for spot in Champions League last 16, the tie is expected to be one of the most watched matchups of the round.