In a dramatic move following a painful cup exit, legendary manager Jose Mourinho has taken drastic action with his Benfica players. The Portuguese boss has ordered his entire squad to remain at the club's training complex after a disappointing semi-final loss.
Defeat Sparks Mourinho's Fury
The incident stems from Benfica's 3-1 defeat to rivals Braga in the Portuguese League Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night. The match took a turn for the worse when experienced defender Nicolas Otamendi received a red card, forcing Benfica to play most of the game with only ten men. This setback proved too much to overcome, dashing the team's hopes of reaching the final.
The Punishment: An Unusual Sleepover
Clearly furious with his team's performance, Mourinho revealed his unconventional punishment on Thursday. He has commanded the players to stay at the club's Seixal training base for the foreseeable future. The manager stated that the squad would not be returning to their homes, but instead would sleep at the facility.
"Look, today, thinking we were going to play the final, we're not going home, we're going to Seixal," Mourinho declared. "The players will sleep in Seixal, and there's training tomorrow and the day after tomorrow."
A Sleepless Night for Reflection
Mourinho expressed his hope that the players would have a difficult night, using the time for deep reflection on their cup exit. He wished for them to experience the same restlessness he anticipated for himself.
"I hope the players sleep as well as I do, which is to say, don't sleep at all," the manager said pointedly. "That's what I wish for them. That they don't sleep and think a lot, like I'm going to think."
He explained that the immediate aftermath in the locker room was a "monologue" from him, which he finds ineffective. Mourinho prefers dialogue and plans to begin proper discussions with the squad the following day to analyse the differences between their first and second-half performances.
Looking Ahead to a Crucial Clash
The focus now shifts to Benfica's next major challenge: a Primeira Liga match against FC Porto next Wednesday. Mourinho acknowledged this crucial fixture would be approached with several key absences. The team will be without the suspended Otamendi, as well as Antonio Silva, and most likely without midfielder Enzo.
Despite the setbacks and the fresh sting of defeat, Mourinho ended his comments with a defiant note. "But let's go, thinking we can win the game," he asserted, showing his determination to rally the team for the upcoming Porto showdown.
