Mourinho Admits Emotional Toll of Real Madrid Controversy as Benfica Eye Crucial League Win

José Mourinho skipped the pre-match press conference ahead of Benfica’s league clash with AVS, instead offering a couple of brief words to the club’s official TV channel — but what he said was more than enough to grab everyone’s attention.

Still stewing over Madrid

The Special One was asked about how his squad had recovered from the Champions League battle with Real Madrid, and his answer was telling. Physically, he reckoned the game was absolutely draining — flat out for the first fifty minutes in terms of effort, tactical discipline, and the kind of concentration you only need at that level of football.

But then came the bit that’ll have tongues wagging. Mourinho made clear that from the 51st minute onwards, things had been anything but easy to process — and not just on the pitch. He admitted it hadn’t been simple to manage emotionally, and pointedly noted that the conversation wasn’t over yet. Classic Mou, isn’t it? Never one to let something go quietly.

He didn’t spell out exactly what he was referring to, but the implication was obvious — something happened in that second half that’s still rattling around in his head and, by the sound of it, in the heads of those around him at the club.

Injury and suspension headaches

On the more straightforward football side of things, Mourinho flagged up a couple of selection problems ahead of the AVS match:

• Prestianni is suspended and will miss the game
• Aursnes is carrying a physical issue and won’t feature either — though Mourinho suggested there’s some hope the Norwegian could be fit in time for the return leg in Madrid

The manager was pretty candid about it, which is a bit unusual for him pre-match, but he seemed keen to keep expectations managed while also making clear that winning the league fixture is non-negotiable for Benfica’s ambitions this season.

The bigger picture

What’s interesting here is the dual pressure Mourinho’s operating under. He’s got a European tie that’s clearly left a sour taste — whatever happened after the hour mark in that Madrid game is still festering — while simultaneously needing to keep his squad focused on domestic business.

Benfica need the points. Mourinho knows it. And despite the noise swirling around the Champions League fallout, he’s trying to channel it all into motivation rather than distraction. Whether he manages that, we’ll see.

But one thing’s for certain — this Madrid-Benfica saga is far from done, and Mourinho will make absolutely sure of that.