José Mourinho insists Benfica’s damage issues are extra damaging than Napoli’s forward of their Champions League assembly, however warned that Antonio Conte’s facet have turn out to be “a greater group” after altering system.
Talking on the eve of the important thing league section match, with , Mourinho pushed again in opposition to the concept that Napoli’s lacking stars would tilt the steadiness. “Not having De Bruyne or having McTominay is similar,” he mentioned, drawing a comparability as an example squad depth fairly than people.
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli injured through the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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“Napoli’s bench is completely different, when you have a look at who performs, you neglect who’s lacking. By altering their system, they’ve turn out to be a greater group.”
The coach admitted his personal checklist of absentees is critical, however burdened he has little interest in excuses: “I’ve heavy absences, however I don’t need to cry.”
Decisive conflict for Benfica & Mourinho in opposition to Conte’s Napoli
Benfica arrive with solely three factors after 4 defeats, regardless of sturdy performances that finally collapsed on particulars. Mourinho pointed to latest matches as proof his facet should not structurally fragile.
“Towards Chelsea we performed a wonderful recreation and misplaced to an personal objective. It’s been the identical within the league. We at all times lose due to particular person errors, however tactically the group is stronger,” he mentioned, including that his data of Napoli could assist, although not decisively.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, reacts through the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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He additionally praised the evolution of . Mourinho argued that Napoli’s present id makes them way more harmful than the model seen within the opening months. “It doesn’t imply their qualities are inferior,” he defined.
“They’re a really sturdy group, they gained two league titles in a brief interval. Proper now they play very in a different way and I like them extra now than earlier than. Conte’s groups are by no means weak, there’s compactness, tactical consciousness, and he at all times builds sturdy squads.”
Mourinho refused to offer any hints on his line-up, noting that a lot of his 23-man squad may very well be debutants or academy gamers. “What occurs with the market occupies zero house in my thoughts. Tomorrow solely the consequence issues. We should win. So long as arithmetic offers me hope, I’ll battle for qualification.”