Jose Mourinho expressed frustration with his Benfica team following their 2-0 win against Atlético CP in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal. His disappointment stemmed from what he described as an “unacceptable” performance in the first half, where he considered making nine substitutions at halftime due to the players’ attitude.
Mourinho’s Halftime Criticism
Mourinho did not hold back in his post-match comments. He stated that during the first half, Benfica’s performance was lacking. He remarked, “In the first half, Benfica didn’t play… there were absolutely ridiculous turnovers.”
Substitutions Reflect Team’s Performance
At halftime, Mourinho indicated a desire to make four substitutions, feeling that he could have benefitted from changing up to nine players. He highlighted the importance of professionalism and expressed that the team’s attitude did not meet his expectations. His remarks included:
- “It means things were really bad.”
- “I can’t remember a single training session where the attitude was what we had today.”
In the second half, the substitutions did bring a change in dynamics. The introduced players showed greater intensity and improved the team’s pressing game.
Mourinho’s Tenure and Future Prospects
This match took place after Mourinho joined Benfica earlier in the year. Currently, the team is in third place in Liga Portugal, trailing behind Porto and Sporting. Despite their disappointing performance in the Champions League, where they have lost all four group matches, the victory in the cup provides a glimmer of hope.
Mourinho remains optimistic about Benfica’s future in European competitions, stating, “It was a question of whether the goal would come… but it had to come as it did.” He also extended congratulations to Atlético, expressing hope for their future performance.
