Benfica boss Jose Mourinho quashes speculation of a Real Madrid return, focusing on Champions League play-off against his former club.
BENFICA coach Jose Mourinho insisted he is capable of saying no to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as he played down rumours of a return to the Spanish giants.
Mourinho’s Benfica host Real Madrid in a Champions League play-off round first leg. The second leg will be at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.
The 63-year-old Portuguese coach has a clause in his contract with Benfica which would allow him to depart. This has fuelled rumours Perez may turn to him again next season.
“Can you say no? Yes,” Mourinho told reporters when asked if he could reject an approach from the Madrid chief. “Yes you can.”
Mourinho admitted he has a “great friendship” with Perez and a permanent connection with Madrid. He said the break clause was agreed because of the Benfica presidential elections which were approaching when he signed.
“I gave everything to Real Madrid, everything that I had, I did good things, I did bad things, but I gave absolutely everything and that’s all,” said Mourinho.
“The only thing that exists is that I have another year on my contract with Benfica. It’s a special contract because it was signed in an electoral period.”
Mourinho said the deal was signed to protect a hypothetical new president, although Rui Costa was re-elected. He emphasised there is nothing with Real Madrid beyond his existing contract.
“I would very much like to eliminate Real Madrid (from the Champions League), but I would like Alvaro to win La Liga and for Alvaro to stay at Madrid for many years,” Mourinho said of current Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Mourinho guided Benfica to a 4-2 victory over Arbeloa’s Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage in January. He expects a different game in the play-off.
“The Real Madrid I expect tomorrow is the Real Madrid who are number one favourites to win the Champions League,” added Mourinho.
Arbeloa said despite his good relationship with Mourinho he was determined to reach the last 16. “My objective is to eliminate Benfica,” explained Arbeloa.
The coach would not reveal whether French superstar Kylian Mbappe was ready to start after recent knee discomfort. “Kylian came with us, he will train and tomorrow you will see if he plays or doesn’t,” said Arbeloa.
Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga said Los Blancos were out for revenge at the Estadio da Luz. “We want to play a great game, because losing a game like that was tough for our fans,” Camavinga told reporters.
“We want to win tomorrow with the spirit of revenge.”
