Jose Mourinho's overwhelming excitement, after goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored against Real to seal a 4-2 victory on 29/1 in the final Champions League group stage match, was a release from prolonged pressure. "In a tough season, that goal responded to countless harsh criticisms and gave the feeling of being 'reborn' under the spotlight of top-tier football. The victory over Real was not just special; above all, it was a liberation for this coach," Spanish newspaper Marca commented.

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho celebrated after his team's 4-2 win over Real Madrid in the final Champions League group stage match at Da Luz stadium, Lisbon, Portugal, on 29/1/2026. Photo: AP

Since returning to manage Benfica in September 2025, Mourinho's journey has been challenging. The Da Luz home team faced internal instability due to an ongoing presidential election, a less-than-ideal environment for any coach. He also did not have a preferred squad, as the team was built according to the philosophy of his predecessor Bruno Lage and lacked key components for "the special one's" playing style.

Key players like Angel Di Maria, Alvaro Carreras, Orkun Kokcu, and Florentino Luis departed, while an injury crisis meant Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, Bruma, and Dodi Lukebakio were frequently absent. Furthermore, Mourinho took over the team without a proper pre-season. Declining fitness and inconsistent form were inevitable, whether for him or anyone else.

Despite this, the 63-year-old coach continued to face malicious public opinion. Critics still accused Mourinho of employing an overly pragmatic and lackluster playing style, even though statistics countered this argument.

Benfica currently boasts the second-strongest offense in the Portuguese national league with 42 goals, trailing only second-placed Sporting Lisbon (52 goals). They rank third in ball possession (58%), second in shots on target, and second in touches in the opponent's penalty area. Mourinho's squad also recovers the most balls in the final third and concedes the third-fewest goals. Although eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, Benfica currently holds a 19-match unbeaten streak in the national league, their best performance since the 2012-2013 season.

Specifically in the match against Real, Benfica took 22 shots, with 12 on target, created 8 clear-cut chances, and achieved an expected goals (xG) value of 3,01, while Real's xG was only 1,5. "Not everyone can be Pep Guardiola," Mourinho's supporters once argued.

Benfica is where Mourinho began his head coaching career, for a few months in late 2000. Returning after 25 years, he has once again reinvented himself. Mourinho maintains his burning ambition: spending hours at the training center, closely monitoring youth teams, eating and sleeping at the headquarters, and enjoying his time at Benfica. Despite being 10 points behind league leaders Porto, he refused to discuss next season, focusing entirely on the team's progress.

The former Real coach's reaction immediately after the Champions League playoff draw, which once again pitted Benfica against his old club, partly demonstrated this. Instead of thinking far ahead to mid and late February for the two legs against "Los Blancos", Mourinho posted a photo of himself working in his office. In the photo, the 63-year-old coach held a document analyzing Tondela, Benfica's opponent in the national league this weekend, with the caption, "Life goes on."

Mourinho posted a photo preparing for the Tondela match in the Portuguese national league this weekend after learning Benfica would face Real again in the Champions League playoffs. Screenshot

The recent victory over Real held intense emotional significance. It was the first time Mourinho had defeated his former club, but more importantly, it provided a psychological boost. A source close to the Portuguese coach shared with Marca: "Jose misses the big stages, the magical Champions League nights. Winning in that way, at home with the club he truly loves, had a huge psychological impact."

After the match, Mourinho briefly spoke with his former player and current counterpart Alvaro Arbeloa, wishing him luck and apologizing for his somewhat excessive celebration. He could not meet Real President Florentino Perez directly as the leader was not in attendance, although they did speak by phone. However, upon entering the press conference room, emotions resurfaced for Mourinho as he responded to the persistent criticisms aimed at himself and Benfica.

"The only thing I want after this victory is respect," Mourinho said. "I urge those out there not to jump off a bridge or do anything similar to commit suicide; stay calm. Benfica will lose, and they will tear us apart again. I just want a little respect for Benfica and for my players."

"This season has been truly tough; Jose has suffered a lot," a relative of Mourinho told Marca. Being eliminated by Braga in the League Cup and then knocked out by Porto in the National Cup in a match where Benfica dominated but lacked luck dealt a severe blow to the team's morale. But against Real, "the guiding star" finally returned.

Fate intervened by bringing Mourinho back to Madrid, where he managed from 2010 to 2013, as Benfica will face Real in two Champions League playoff legs. The first leg on 17/2 at Da Luz, followed by the return leg at the Bernabeu a week later, will be the ultimate test, a rendezvous with football's elite, where he always feels he belongs. And regardless of the outcome, this reunion will affirm one thing: Mourinho is back on the big stage, and he remains full of vitality at 63.

Hoang Thong (via Marca)