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Benfica manager Jose Mourinho admitted that his team's upcoming UCL game against Real Madrid will be very challenging, especially after they defeated the Spanish club in the final game of the league stage.
Jose Mourinho addresses clash against Real Madrid
Both teams are set to lock horns in a two-legged play-off for a place in the Champions League Round of 16. Benfica's home ground, Estadio da Luz, will host the first leg, while the second leg will take place at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid were slapped with a big blow on January 28 after losing 4-2 against Benfica. Before the game, they were sitting third, but the result saw them drop to ninth in the table. With this, they missed the direct qualification for the Round of 16. On the contrary, Benfica dodged elimination by finishing 24th.
Jose Mourinho called Real Madrid a 'wounded king'
Following Benfica's 2-1 league win against Santa Clara, Mourinho addressed the upcoming fixture, calling real Madrid a 'wounded king' after last month's terrific clash.
“[I know it will be] Very demanding, without a doubt,” he said. “We’ve only played the first leg of the tie. Trubin [the Benfica keeper who scored against Real Madrid last time out] won’t be in the attack at the Luz stadium. I’m very used to these kinds of ties.
“I’ve been doing it all my life. People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result. We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition, and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League. They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous.”
Following Benfica being given a rematch against Madrid in the knockout playoff round, Mourinho called Los Blancos 'King' and tipped them as the biggest contenders to win the tournament.
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