Benfica coach Jose Mourinho declared, "We have nothing to lose" regarding the final Champions League group stage match on the evening of 28/1. He added, "We are about to face a great team with excellent players. This is a do-or-die battle. We will try to secure three points with a balanced playing style. Without balance, Real will punish us."

Benfica currently ranks 29th out of 36 teams, holding only 6 points – two points behind 24th-placed Olympiakos. A top 24 finish is the minimum requirement to enter the play-off round, meaning Mourinho's squad must defeat Real at all costs. Failure to do so would result in their elimination, making them one of the 12 teams to exit after the group stage.

"The Special One" also indicated that Benfica would maintain its current lineup, opting to counter Real's strengths rather than target their weaknesses. Mourinho reiterated, "Clearly, to win, we must score one more goal than our opponent. We have to play to score, but without conceding too many. We must maintain balance."

Conversely, Real, with 15 points, currently sits in third place. A win or a draw against Benfica would likely secure the Spanish team a direct spot in the round of 16. However, a loss could see coach Alvaro Arbeloa's side fall out of the top 8, forcing them into the play-off round. The eight leading teams after eight matches automatically qualify for the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will compete in play-offs for the remaining eight berths.

Jose Mourinho coaches during Benfica's loss to Juventus on the seventh matchday of the Champions League group stage on 21/1. *Photo: Imago*

The match on the evening of 28/1 also marks a reunion between old friends. Mourinho managed Real from 2010 to 2013, securing titles such as La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. During his tenure, Arbeloa was a favored player.

Following his peak years with Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real, Man Utd, and Roma, Mourinho appears to be in the twilight of his coaching career. A pattern similar to his time at Fenerbahce is emerging at Benfica. His team currently ranks third in the Portuguese league, trailing Porto by 10 points, has been eliminated from the domestic cup quarterfinals and League Cup semifinals, and now faces the prospect of exiting the Champions League.

In stark contrast to his former mentor, Arbeloa is experiencing a promising start. The 43-year-old coach made an impression with Real's B team before ascending to lead the first team after Xabi Alonso's dismissal on 12/1. Apart from his debut loss to Albacete in the Copa del Rey, where he had minimal preparation time, the young manager has since secured three victories against Levante, Villarreal, and Monaco, instilling the stability crucial for a major club pursuing titles.

"I have great affection for Arbeloa and Real", Mourinho stated, referring to his former player and club. "He has the capability to lead any team, and I wish him success. Coaching is a challenging profession, as many will criticize and discuss you daily. The key is for him to be happy and enjoy this work."

Mourinho also asserted that Xabi Alonso's dismissal from Real, another former player, was a normal occurrence in football. He still regards Alonso as a top-tier coach, citing his achievement of leading Leverkusen to a domestic double in Germany and to the Europa League final.

Thanh Quy (according to Marca)