José Mourinho has labeled Benfica’s upcoming Champions League clash against Real Madrid as “virtually impossible,” following a damaging 2-0 defeat to Juventus.
The Eagles struggled in Turin, falling to goals from Kephren Thuram and Weston McKennie. The result leaves the Portuguese giants in a precarious position in the Champions League table, making their next fixture at the Estádio da Luz a “do-or-die” encounter for their European survival.
“Practically Doesn’t Mean Impossible”
Despite the grim outlook, Mourinho remains characteristically defiant. Addressing the media after the Juventus loss, the “Special One” acknowledged the gulf in quality but left the door open for a miracle.
“Beating Real Madrid is virtually impossible for us right now,” Mourinho admitted. “But I made sure to add ‘virtually.’ In football, that word means there is still a chance. We will fight until the very last second for the result our fans deserve.”
🎥 Mourinho lanza un aviso al Real Madrid a pocos días de verse las caras en Champions pic.twitter.com/V4EWQ17aMT
— Diario AS (@diarioas) January 22, 2026
Denying the Real Madrid “Soap Opera”
The fixture comes amid a whirlwind of speculation linking Mourinho with a sensational return to the Santiago Bernabéu to replace the recently departed Xabi Alonso. With the Real Madrid vacancy still a hot topic, the press has intensified rumors about Mourinho’s future in Lisbon.
Mourinho, however, was quick to dismiss the reports. “I don’t listen to these baseless soap operas,” he stated firmly. “My commitment is to Benfica and our project until 2027. My only focus is getting this club into the knockout stages.”
The Road Ahead
Benfica’s path to the Round of 16 is no longer in their own hands. To stay in the competition, they must secure a victory against the reigning champions while hoping for a favorable combination of results elsewhere. A draw or a defeat would likely see the Lisbon side eliminated from Europe’s premier competition.
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
