“Benfica faces an almost impossible challenge, but anything can happen in football.”

Carlos Carvalhal, one of the most respected coaches in Portuguese football, has not been intimidated by the daunting task awaiting Benfica at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu. The Eagles face a true challenge as they attempt to overturn a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the playoff for access to the round of 16 of the Champions League. For Carvalhal, victory is a remote possibility, but not entirely out of reach.

The coach analyzed the situation with brutal honesty: “Anything is possible, but it is very difficult. Right now, Real Madrid has everything to advance, but it is football. We know how football is.” Carvalhal believes that the key to Benfica’s success lies in their ability to hold on to a draw until the final minutes. “If you can hold on to 0-0 until the 75-80 minute mark, nowadays, Benfica has players on the bench who can change things in 10-15 minutes. That can also happen,” he stated, conveying a cautious hope to the fans.

However, the reality is harsh. Real Madrid, one of the most feared teams in Europe, is not known for adopting a defensive posture, something that concerns Carvalhal. “It is very difficult because Real Madrid certainly will not play with a low block to defend, as that is not their profile, it is not in their DNA, but they will want to take control of the game. There is a very high percentage for Real Madrid and a very small one for Benfica,” he emphasized.

The absence of José Mourinho on the bench, due to his expulsion in the first match, was also mentioned by Carvalhal. “I think he would like to be at the Bernabéu because he is welcome at the club. At least that was the case, right? Mourinho is missed by Benfica at the Bernabéu,” he emphasized, acknowledging the influence that the Portuguese coach would have in a match of such importance.

Carvalhal also recalled last week’s clash, where Benfica had a promising start but quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the quality of their opponent. “Until the 20th minute, the game was balanced. After that, what stood out was the individual and collective quality of Real Madrid. That individual and collective quality completely imposed itself,” he analyzed. He made a point of emphasizing that the merit of Real Madrid’s victory should not be overshadowed by what could be seen as Benfica’s shortcomings. “Unlike Real Madrid, who typically defended with two lines of four, with eight, Benfica defended with all eleven. When they recovered the ball, they tried to break out but never succeeded. I think it was more the merit of Real Madrid than the demerit of Benfica,” he concluded.

As Benfica prepares for their difficult mission at the Bernabéu, Carvalhal’s words resonate as a reminder of football’s uncertainty: anything can happen, even when the odds are against you. The Eagles need a miracle, but in a sport where hope and determination can change the course of a game, belief is the first step towards victory.