Jose Mourinho steered Antonio Conte’s response to Benfica beating Napoli was ‘an excuse’ and defined how his tactical surprises swung the Champions League conflict.
The Particular One pulled a shock on the Estadio da Luz this night when he left centre-forward Vangelis Pavlidis on the bench in favour of Franjo Ivanovic.
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It labored, as a result of the objectives have been scored by Richard Rios with a flick on the close to submit, then Leandro Barreiro sealing
Mourinho anticipated Benfica enchancment
LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli (L), and Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica (R), shake arms previous to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photograph by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photos)
“The staff had been doing effectively for 3-4 weeks, I noticed an excellent efficiency in opposition to Sporting, so I anticipated an excellent efficiency right here too,”
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“I additionally knew that we have been up in opposition to a implausible Napoli staff, with a high coach who performs this three-man defence that creates issues for opponents, however we did very effectively and deserved the victory.”
bodily amid an damage disaster and lacked sharpness.
LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, offers the staff directions through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photograph by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photos)
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When this speaking level was put to Mourinho, he was frankly unimpressed.
“Saying Benfica have been brisker bodily appears like an excuse,” responded Mourinho.
“We interpreted the sport effectively, I made a decision to play Ivanovic fairly than Pavlidis upfront and that modified the way in which we assault. Pavlidis is somebody who makes the type of actions with the midfield that makes it straightforward for a staff like Napoli to press him. Ivanovic offers extra instability to a staff that defends with three.
“The gamers confirmed character and intelligence, a Benfica mentality, which implies if you end up having the largest problem, you step up. We knew that and not using a win right here, we have been out, however now that we have now six factors, we’re within the operating.”
LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Nicolas Otamendi of Benfica reacts through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photograph by Gualter Fatia/Getty Photos)
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Benfica had misplaced their first 4 Champions League video games this season, however have now received two on the bounce after a 2-0 away to Ajax and this 2-0 at dwelling to Napoli.
One other subject mentioned after difficulties in current weeks is that Serie A performs at a decrease tempo than many different European leagues, so their groups wrestle within the Champions League. Does Mourinho agree?
“It’s tough for me to say. In Portugal, we have now the same downside. The final time a Portuguese staff received the Champions League was over 20 years in the past, the final time an Italian received was 15 years in the past, so there’s one thing in it.
“These groups who win the Champions League are typically those who make investments probably the most, and but there are some who make investments and make investments and can’t win. Inter have been within the Champions League Ultimate twice within the final three years, so then again, the Italian groups can’t be doing too badly.”
In fact, the final time a Portuguese or Italian staff received the Champions League, they each had Mourinho on the bench.