Mourinho criticizes Benfica players and threatens with dismissals.

Benfica on the brink of a revolution: Mourinho prepares a blacklist and players are trembling!

Following a mediocre 1-1 draw with Casa Pia, Benfica finds itself facing an internal crisis that could shake the entire squad. José Mourinho’s team not only squandered the opportunity to capitalize on the draw between FC Porto and Famalicão, but also now depends on others in the fight for second place, after Sporting defeated Santa Clara. The situation is alarming, and the Portuguese coach made it clear: certain players are in deep trouble and may be on the verge of entering the dreaded list of dispensals.

“I didn’t like the first half; at halftime, we talked about what we needed to change tactically, and I tried to make them understand… because there are some who sometimes seem like they don’t eat football, that they don’t breathe football, it seems like they sometimes forget the realities… I gave them a bit of mathematics. Not winning this game would mean the difficult, but possible, fight for the title would end, and we would stop depending on ourselves to finish in second place; that was what was at stake,” Mourinho revealed after the match.

Among the main targets of criticism is the Belgian winger Lukebakio, who left the pitch in the 57th minute with a visibly frustrated expression. Despite recently returning from international duty in good form, the €20 million player has yet to establish himself in the team after recovering from injury, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the coach. Prestianni, who came on in his place, received immediate praise, a contrast that bodes poorly for Lukebakio.

Mourinho was even more incisive: “I have to think carefully together; at this moment I felt like not playing some other players, but higher values come into play, they are assets and even if I didn’t want to continue with some of them, perhaps it’s easier not to continue trying to enhance their value than by being hostile. At the sporting level, the possible objective is to finish in second place, depending on others, I repeat.”

But Lukebakio is not the only player in danger. Enzo Barrenechea, the Argentine midfielder who started the season as a key player, has seen his influence drastically diminish. In the match against Casa Pia, he was substituted in the 81st minute, making it clear that he has lost his starting position in midfield, especially due to the competition from Aursnes and Barreiro, players whom Mourinho attributes a much higher level of performance.

Other names on the “tightrope” include Ukrainian attacking midfielder Sudakov and Croatian forward Ivanovic, both of whom were used as substitutes in the last match and, despite being expensive players and considered valuable assets, have not met the expectations of the coaching staff.

In addition to these, the blacklist may include players such as Bruma, Manu, João Rego, Sidny Cabral, and Henrique Araújo — all of whom are being pointed out as close to the exit door for the next season. Even Rafa Silva, a major winter signing and a bet by the SAD led by Rui Costa, is under pressure to improve his performance. Substituted in the 70th minute of the last game, the winger has not scored since February, with goals only against Aves SAD and Real Madrid, a performance below expectations for such a significant investment.

The final decision on who stays and who goes will depend on negotiations between Mourinho and the SAD, in a complex equation that involves substantial financial values and the need to avoid significant depreciations. However, the Portuguese coach already seems to have a clear idea of which players he counts on for the future and those who are definitely not part of his plans.

A revolution at Benfica is underway. With Mourinho taking the reins and demanding more, uncertainty looms over the squad. The coming months will be crucial in defining the direction of the Lisbon club in a season that becomes more complicated with each matchday. For the players at risk, the clock is ticking — the Luz is preparing for a major cleanup, and those who do not improve their performance may be on their way out.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.