“Wounded royals can surprise: Mourinho warns of the danger of Real Madrid.”

José Mourinho, the charismatic coach of Benfica, has no doubt that Real Madrid, following their dramatic defeat to his team in the Champions League, will be an even more dangerous opponent. With emotions running high and a thirst for revenge, the Spanish giant faces a new challenge as the two teams prepare for a crucial clash in the European competition.

In the last match between Benfica and Real Madrid, the Eagles secured an impressive 4-2 victory, highlighted by an epic moment that will be remembered: goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a historic header in the 98th minute. This result not only destabilized Madrid, a team that has already won the Champions League 15 times, but also caused them to drop from a comfortable position in the ranking, falling from third to ninth place and losing automatic access to the next stages.

“They are wounded. And a wounded king is always dangerous,” said Mourinho, who is well aware of the pressure of facing the club he once managed. His words echo the wisdom that, in times of crisis, great clubs tend to respond with determination and renewed strength. “We will go into the first leg with our heads, ambition, and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League,” he added, revealing the competitive mindset he aims to instill in his team.

Benfica, currently sitting in third place in the Primeira Liga, will host Real at the Estádio da Luz next Tuesday at 20:00 GMT. The pressure is high, especially following the surprising victory that allowed the Eagles to advance to the playoffs, even after a difficult start in the group stage, where they lost their first four matches.

Mourinho described the upcoming tie as “very demanding, without a doubt.” And with the experience that characterizes him, he emphasized: “Trubin will not be in attack at the Estádio da Luz. I am very used to this type of game. Often people think that a certain result is necessary in the first leg for this or that reason. I say that there is no definitive result.”

The victory in Lisbon not only marked a turning point in Benfica’s campaign but also represented a personal milestone for Mourinho, as it was his first win against Real Madrid since leaving the club. At the same time, Real Madrid, currently leading the La Liga table, is just two points ahead of Barcelona, which further increases the pressure on them.

As the date of the clash approaches, expectations rise. Will Benfica be able to replicate the feat and leave Real Madrid even more wounded? Or will the Spaniards manage to recover and prove that they are, in fact, the kings of Europe? The answer will be on the pitch, and the excitement promises to be intense.