Benfica manager Jose Mourinho acknowledged the difficulty of navigating the pressure following the controversy that erupted during his team’s Champions League match against Real Madrid on Tuesday. Mourinho has also faced scrutiny for his post-match comments.
The match in Lisbon, which Madrid won 1-0, saw a disturbance after Vinicius Junior scored. The Brazilian forward reported to the referee that he was subjected to racist abuse from Gianluca Prestianni.
Prior to the incident, Vinicius had also drawn jeers from Benfica supporters who deemed his goal celebration excessive. Mourinho criticized Vinicius, stating his celebration lacked respect for the opposition.
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He also suggested that Vinicius attracts criticism wherever he plays, noting that jeers seem to follow him to every stadium. Those comments drew widespread condemnation, with many accusing Mourinho of hypocrisy and a lack of self-awareness.
Ahead of Benfica’s Liga Portugal match against AVS, Mourinho opted to forego a traditional pre-match press conference, instead communicating through Benfica’s official channels. He used the opportunity to address the fallout from the Champions League encounter.
“The match was demanding in every aspect. Up until the 50th minute [the moment of Vinicius’ goal], it was a great match, with maximum intensity, both physically and tactically and in terms of the concentration we needed to play at that level,” Mourinho said on Friday, February 20, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“However, I also can’t ignore the fact that, from the 51st minute until now – and it won’t end here – it’s not easy emotionally to deal with everything that has happened and continues to happen.”
“But there’s a match tomorrow [Saturday], an essential match, a match that, for our ambitions and dreams, is highly important to win. We have to stay focused and attempt to perform at the highest level,” Mourinho explained.
Following the AVS match, Benfica will travel to Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League tie on Thursday. Mourinho will be unable to sit on the bench for that match after receiving a red card in the first leg for protesting a referee’s decision.
(adp/yna)
