José Mourinho criticizes VAR after penalty not awarded in decisive match.

After an intense display in which Benfica triumphed over Gil Vicente with a final score of 2-1, José Mourinho, the charismatic coach of the home team, did not hold back his criticism of the VAR’s performance, which overlooked a penalty that could have changed the course of the match. His incisive and provocative words resonated after the final whistle, revealing the coach’s frustration regarding decisions he deems crucial.

Mourinho began by acknowledging the quality of the opponent, emphasizing that Gil Vicente “also plays” and has shown good performance throughout the season. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game against a team that wants to win, that plays to win even when facing the big teams,” said the coach, highlighting the competitiveness the match provided. He also commented on the unexpected change in his lineup, with Aursnes’s departure and Enzo’s entry, which, according to Mourinho, was not adequately prepared, ultimately influencing the dynamics of the match.

The situation that led to the goal by Gil Vicente was a combination of errors, including a quick throw-in by goalkeeper Trubin that resulted in the loss of possession. “We reacted to the equalizing goal, which did not satisfy us. We pushed the team back until we scored,” explained Mourinho, highlighting his team’s struggle to regain the lead.

However, it was the issue of the unawarded penalty that ignited the most controversy. “There should have been another [penalty], as there were more that were not awarded. The play that preceded our goal is a clear penalty. That the referee did not see it, I accept, but the VAR should have been having a coffee at that moment,” Mourinho fired back, expressing his outrage at the lack of intervention from technology at what he considered a decisive moment.

Regarding Aursnes’ availability for the upcoming classic against FC Porto, Mourinho was cautious: “I don’t know if I will have him or not, I haven’t had the time to ask. He is a very important player for us.” The clash with the dragons, according to the coach, will be a test of fire: “Our obligation is to give our all, as always. If we had left here with a draw, the players would have given everything until the end. We will play at home, and our goal is to win, knowing it will be a very tough match.”

Mourinho, always a polarizing figure, remains the center of attention, not only for his strategic talent but also for his bold statements that reveal his passion for the game and his constant fight for justice in sports. As the clash with FC Porto approaches, fans are eagerly waiting to see how his team will respond to this challenge.