Mourinho Cites Lack of Training as Factor in Benfica‘s Loss to Chelsea
LONDON – Benfica manager Jose Mourinho attributed his team’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in their Champions League group stage match to a lack of preparation time, stating they “did not train at all, we only recovery” between matches. The result marked a return to Stamford Bridge for Mourinho,where he previously managed Chelsea during two triumphant spells.
Mourinho, who led Chelsea to three English League titles across his tenures from 2004-2007 and 2013-2015, emphasized the disruption to his usual training regimen. benfica secured a 2-1 victory over Gil Vicente in the Portuguese League just days prior, leaving limited opportunity for focused preparation ahead of facing his former club.
“We have two days of pause between the match and we did not train at all, we only recovery between the two,” Mourinho explained after the match. he further lamented, “One of my advantages in the field, if I could say, is my training, but we don’t have time for it.”
Despite the setback,Mourinho attempted to frame the defeat as a potential learning experience for his players. “This defeat can be the basis for them because we could have come out of here with a draw, wich will be a positive thing for them,” he stated.He also noted Benfica’s cautious approach after three key players – Enzo Barrechea, Richard Rios, and Fredrik Aursnes – received yellow cards.
Mourinho acknowledged his team’s tactical awareness, saying, ”We are organized, we study Chelsea well, and I think we handle the design of the game they apply in the field very well.” However, the lack of training time ultimately proved detrimental as Benfica fell to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
