‘Wounded’ Real Madrid are ‘dangerous’ says Benfica boss Mourinho ahead of Champions League play-off | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid are “wounded” and will be “dangerous” ahead of their Champions League play-off against Benfica.

The Portuguese side will face Los Blancos yet again after condemning the Spanish side to the play-offs thanks to Anatoliy Trubin’s dramatic 97th minute goal in the final league phase match, that saw Mourinho’s side progress with a 4-2 win.

And the 60-year-old says his side will have to be prepared for everything thrown at them by the La Liga leaders.

“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” Mourinho said. “We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition, and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League, but we must be ready for their reaction.”

Up until the final gameweek, Benfica looked an outsiders bet for a place in the play-offs, but Trubin’s heroic’s ensured the Portuguese giants leapfrogged French side Marseille on goal difference.

Despite a daunting two-legged tie against the record Champions, Mourinho is sure his side have what it takes to progress.

“I don’t think Benfica needs a miracle to eliminate Real Madrid,” he said. “We need to be at our absolute best, almost perfect. Of course, Real Madrid is Real Madrid: history, know-how, ambition… there’s no point comparing. The only thing you can compare is that Real Madrid is huge and Benfica is huge.

“Other than that, there’s nothing else that’s comparable. But football has this power, and we can win. I’m expecting to face the number one contender to win the Champions League.

“Obviously, I expect an opponent similar to the one we saw after the Lisbon match, where the coach was able to understand a few things, change the team’s structure, and turn an unexpected defeat into three straight league wins.”