- Title: Benfica's Mourinho not relying on miracles to oust Real Madrid
- Date: 16th February 2026
- Summary: SEIXAL, PORTUGAL (FEBRUARY 16, 2026) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BENFICA COACH JOSE MOURINHO SEATING ON BENCH TALKING TO HIS ASSISTANTS AHEAD OF TRAINING VARIOUS OF PLAYERS ENTERING PITCH FOR TRAINING SESSION MOURINHO ON PITCH AS PLAYERS ARRIVE (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BENFICA COACH, JOSE MOURINHO, SAYING: "I don't think it would take a miracle for Benfica to eliminate Real Madr
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: Benfica Champions League Jose Mourinho Real Madrid UCL UEFA UEFA Champions League Vangelis Pavlidis
- Location: SEIXAL, PORTUGAL
- City: SEIXAL, PORTUGAL
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001588616022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Benfica manager Jose Mourinho remains confident, but warned his players that Real Madrid will be dangerous opponents in their Champions League playoff on Tuesday (February 17).
The playoff first leg at the Estadio da Luz pits Benfica against a side still smarting from a chaotic 4-2 loss to the Portuguese club in last month's league phase of the competition.
That defeat denied Real automatic passage to the last 16 in extraordinary fashion. With Benfica leading 3-2 but heading out, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went forward for a free kick and headed in a 98th-minute equaliser, sending Mourinho's side through to the playoff round on goal difference.
Now the pair meet again, and Mourinho stopped short of believing a miracle is needed to advance to the round of 16.
(Production: Miguel Pereira, Nina Lopez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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