Jose Mourinho’s Benfica host former club Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League clash, with his ex-player Alvaro Arbeloa now in the Madrid dugout.
LISBON: Jose Mourinho stands between Real Madrid and a direct path to the Champions League last 16 as his Benfica side host the Spanish giants.
The veteran Portuguese coach, who managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013, faces his former club with slim hopes of advancing to the play-off round.
His opposite number is former Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa, a loyal disciple during Mourinho’s reign at the Bernabeu.
Ahead of the match, Mourinho appeared to take a dig at Arbeloa’s appointment, stating he was surprised “when coaches with no history get the opportunity to manage the most important clubs in the world.”
Arbeloa, who was coaching Madrid’s reserve team before his promotion, responded with grace to his former mentor’s comments.
“You all know what Mourinho means to me. If a coach like that speaks, especially him, I listen and analyse it,” said the 43-year-old Spaniard.
He added that while he carries Mourinho “within him,” he would not try to imitate him, saying, “I’m sure that if I tried to be Jose Mourinho, I would fail spectacularly.”
Madrid sit third in the Champions League league phase table, and victory at the Estadio da Luz would secure direct passage to the last 16.
Since a Copa del Rey exit in Arbeloa’s first match, Madrid have won three consecutive games, including a 6-1 demolition of Monaco.
Mourinho has faced Real Madrid only once since leaving in 2013, a 2-1 defeat in the 2017 European Super Cup final while managing Manchester United.
His career has trended downwards since his heyday, with Benfica appointing him in September hoping for a turnaround.
The Portuguese club sit third domestically and face an early European exit after several Champions League defeats.
For one night in Lisbon, Mourinho has the chance to reassert some dominance over the club that has never forgotten him.
