Mourinho Fires Up the Derby as Benfica Target Sporting at Home
So let me walk you through everything that was said ahead of this Benfica–Sporting derby, because José Mourinho delivered a press conference that was as sharp, humorous, and confident as you’d expect. And even though the stakes are huge, his tone stayed calm, focused, and very much in control.
Right from the start, Mourinho made it clear: fans can expect a Benfica that wants to win. Not a team that hides behind respect or pressure, but one that steps onto the pitch at the Estádio da Luz with the intention of taking the game. He still emphasized respect for Sporting—just as he respects every opponent—but the message was simple: the ambition to win is non-negotiable.
One of the most amusing moments came when a journalist compared Benfica to a Ferrari. Mourinho laughed and replied that he now drives a BMW given to him by the club, so he should advertise that instead. He joked about being too “stingy” to buy a Ferrari, keeping the room relaxed before switching back to football. He reminded everyone that Benfica have won their last three matches and played excellent football, even if some performances were overshadowed externally. A sense of humility, he said, is becoming a defining trait of his squad.
Even when the topic turned emotional—like the 25-year anniversary of his first derby—Mourinho stayed unmoved. No extra stress, no special sleepless nights. He’s lived derbies across Europe, and the experience helps him maintain a stable approach regardless of the hype. What matters, he said, is preparing the team with clarity and identity, not feeding the noise around the match.
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On playing at home, he acknowledged there’s always a “duty” to the fans, especially when results at Luz haven’t always matched expectations. But he defended his players firmly, calling them a good, humble group that works hard and deserves the crowd’s trust. With time, he believes even more empathy will grow between the team and the supporters.
Naturally, he refused to reveal anything tactical about how Benfica will approach Sporting or which specific weaknesses they hope to exploit. He also declined to comment on Sporting’s possible setups. Whether Sporting press high or sit back, he insisted the important part is how Benfica want to play—not chasing ideas based on guesswork.
He even addressed the brewing referees’ strike, calmly stating that European referees would gladly step in if needed, so the league wouldn’t be at risk.
Perhaps the most respectful moment came when he spoke about Rui Borges. Mourinho praised Sporting’s coach for courageously transforming the team after Ruben Amorim, for handling criticism, and for building a strong identity. He insisted Borges has nothing to learn from him in a derby context and thanked him for the praise he’d given earlier.
As for Benfica’s lineup? Mourinho already knows it, the players already know it, and he didn’t feel the need to “talk to the pillow” like Borges joked he would. Everything is set.
So now, with the noise building and the stadium preparing to erupt, Mourinho has set the tone: calm, confident, humorous when needed, but with the clear message that Benfica step onto the field to win—no excuses, no distractions, just football.
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