The fallout from the Portuguese Cup quarter-final continues as FC Porto publicly mocked their former manager, José Mourinho, following a tense 1-0 victory over rivals Benfica.
Shortly after the final whistle at the Estádio do Dragão, Porto’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a pointed message: “Easy to analyze, difficult to beat.” While the post didn’t name names, the target was unmistakable.
The Spark: Mourinho’s Pre-Match “Provocation” The friction began during the pre-match press conference. Mourinho, who now leads Benfica, dismissively claimed that Porto was “an easy team to analyze,” suggesting that a quick look at their statistics was enough to dismantle them.
The comments were seen as a lack of respect by the Porto hierarchy and fanbase, especially given Mourinho’s legendary history with the club, where he famously won the Champions League in 2004.
Fan Backlash: “Money Over Legacy” The tension wasn’t limited to social media. During the match, Porto fans displayed a provocative banner featuring an image of Mourinho clutching a wad of banknotes. The message from the stands was clear: the Porto faithful now view their former idol as a mercenary for joining their fiercest rivals.
Futebol Clube do Porto.
Fáceis de analisar, difíceis de bater 🫤#SeguimosJuntos pic.twitter.com/xKQCjWIixi
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) January 14, 2026
A Relationship Beyond Repair? The “symbolic exchange of barbs” highlights a deteriorating relationship. Once idolized at the Dragão, Mourinho is now facing the reality of being “Persona Non Grata” in the blue and white half of Porto.
As Porto advances to the semi-finals, this chapter of O Clássico proves that the rivalry is just as fierce in the digital world and the press room as it is on the pitch.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
