In the quarter-finals of the Taça de Portugal, Benfica lost 0-1 away to Porto and crashed out of the competition at the last-eight stage. After the match, Benfica manager José Mourinho stated in an interview that his side dominated the game from start to finish, but the better team was eliminated.
On the match itself
Mourinho said, “The reason is obvious: the better team lost, but the better side failed to score and conceded one goal. We almost completely controlled the game. Our opponents are a high-intensity team with true athletic DNA, but Benfica dictated the tempo from start to finish. We conceded from a set-piece. Due to the absence of some players, the players tasked with marking outside the penalty area were Dal, Barreiro and Dedic, pitted against Bednarek, Froholdt and Kiwior. We did extensive preparation for defending set-pieces, as we knew we were without Otamendi and Enzo.”
“Although we didn’t create too many clear-cut scoring chances, our advantage was obvious against a team full of confidence and in excellent form. Even at their home ground, their fans accepted that their team spent 45 minutes defending in their own half. The goal we missed in the final minute says it all. If I was disappointed with the players’ performance in the last game against Braga, today, I feel sorry for them.”
Has the season been almost a failure?
Mourinho said, “I was brought in under difficult circumstances with a poor start, to deliver titles.”
Do you think the fans are still on your side?
Mourinho replied, “Why are you asking me this question directly? Do you think I matter? I don’t. Benfica is what matters.”
