Mourinho’s Return to Portugal Sparks Buzz as Fenerbahce Face Benfica
So here we are — a big preseason showdown that has the football world buzzing. Fenerbahce, now led by none other than Jose Mourinho, is taking on Portuguese giants Benfica in Lisbon. And while it’s technically “just” a friendly, the storylines swirling around this match make it feel like anything but casual.
Let’s start with the obvious headline: Mourinho is back in his homeland. The man who lifted the Champions League with Porto back in 2004 returns to face one of their fiercest rivals, Benfica, this time as the head coach of Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce. And while Mourinho may be a legend in Portugal, his team walks into Estádio da Luz as underdogs. According to Sky Bet, Fenerbahce’s odds of winning are 10/3, while Benfica are the clear favorites at 7/10.
Despite those odds, Fenerbahce’s form in preseason can’t be ignored. They’ve looked sharp so far, claiming convincing wins over Portimonense (2-1), UD Leiria (2-0), and most recently, a dominant 4-0 victory against Al-Ittihad. Players like En-Nesyri and Szymanski have found the net, and the team’s confidence seems to be building with each game.
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Benfica, meanwhile, are just kicking off their preseason campaign. This match marks their first real test ahead of the Portuguese Super Cup against Sporting next week. Even so, this squad isn’t lacking match rhythm — they had a solid Club World Cup run back in June, including a big win over Bayern Munich before falling to Chelsea in the knockout stages.
The match itself has already delivered plenty of early action. Benfica pressed high from the opening whistle, with several close chances, including headers from António Silva and Otamendi and a couple of sharp shots saved by Fenerbahce’s keeper Livakovic. Fenerbahce, while under pressure for much of the first half, have shown sparks on the counter — particularly through En-Nesyri, who had a strong chance that was parried away.
Historically, this fixture has been close. Out of six previous meetings, Benfica hold a slight edge with three wins, Fenerbahce have two, and there’s been one draw. However, this is their first-ever friendly — previous clashes all came in the Champions League or Europa League, which always carried high stakes.
So what can we expect? On paper, Benfica are the more polished unit, but Mourinho thrives in moments like these — when the odds are against him and something emotional is at stake. His return to Lisbon, even in a friendly setting, carries weight. And if his Fenerbahce side can hold their ground or even steal a result, it could set the tone for the rest of their season.
Whether it ends in fireworks or a stalemate, this is more than just a tune-up. It’s a preview of ambition, pride, and perhaps, a bit of revenge.
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