"José Mourinho was never going to fade away quietly. That reality will feel like a recurring nightmare for Real Madrid as they prepare to face Benfica with their UEFA Champions League ambitions on the line. Having turned the "Special One" into the "Normal One" during three fractious years at the Bernabéu between 2010-13, Madrid know enough about Mourinho to expect a sting in the tail when they compete with his Benfica team for a place in the round of 16 over the next eight days."
"Mourinho has already returned to haunt his former club this season by overseeing last month's incredible 4-2 league-phase victory for Benfica -- sealed by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's memorable headed goal in stoppage time -- which dragged Madrid into the playoffs and kept the Lisbon team in the competition. The two clubs were then paired together to meet again on Tuesday at Estadio da Luz ahead of next Wednesday's second leg in Madrid."
José Mourinho returns to face Real Madrid as Benfica prepare for a Champions League knockout tie that threatens Madrid's ambitions. Mourinho previously managed Madrid from 2010-13 and left with a strained legacy despite some trophies. Benfica beat Madrid 4-2 in the league phase, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a stoppage-time header that forced Madrid into the playoffs and kept Benfica in the competition. The clubs meet at Estadio da Luz with the second leg in Madrid a week later. Mourinho is tipped to become Portugal coach after the 2026 World Cup, which could make each Champions League tie his last.
Read at ESPN.com
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