Leiria, Portugal, January 9, 2026 – In a dramatic display of frustration reminiscent of his fiery managerial style, José Mourinho has ordered his Benfica squad to remain at the club's Seixal training complex following their 3-1 defeat to SC Braga in the Taça da Liga (Allianz Cup) semi-final on Wednesday night. The Portuguese coach expressed hope that his players would endure a sleepless night to reflect on the disappointing performance that eliminated them from the competition.
The match, played at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, saw Benfica trail 2-0 at halftime before a late consolation goal. The situation worsened in the 90th minute when former Manchester City defender Nicolás Otamendi received a straight red card for dissent after protesting a decision, leaving Benfica with 10 men. Braga sealed the victory with a third goal, advancing to the final while dealing a blow to Mourinho's ambitions in his first season back at his boyhood club.
In his post-match press conference, Mourinho did not hold back, framing the overnight stay at Seixal – Benfica's modern training facility south of Lisbon – as an opportunity for deep reflection. "Look, today, thinking we were going to play the final, we're not going home, we're going to Seixal," he said. "The players will sleep in Seixal, and there's training tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. But there's no game on Saturday. Since there's no final on Saturday, our next game is against FC Porto next Wednesday."
He continued: "Upon arriving in Seixal, everyone will go to their rooms. I hope the players sleep as well as I do, which is to say, don't sleep at all. That's what I wish for them. That they don't sleep and think a lot, like I'm going to think."
Mourinho also revealed dissatisfaction with the immediate post-match atmosphere in the dressing room. "And then, tomorrow, we can start talking, which isn't what happened in the locker room," he added. "In the locker room, it was a monologue, and monologues don't work for me; I like to have a dialogue with the players."
The coach contrasted the team's halves, noting: "We'll talk about the differences between the first and second halves and prepare in the best way possible. We're shaping up the game against FC Porto. Without Otamendi, without António Silva, and most likely without Enzo [Fernández? context unclear, possibly another player]. But let's go, thinking we can win the game."
While many headlines portrayed the decision as a punishment, Benfica president Rui Costa clarified that the squad was already scheduled to stay at Seixal post-match in anticipation of a potential final. However, Mourinho's public comments amplified the narrative, using the situation to motivate his players amid a challenging period.
Mourinho, appointed in September 2025 on a contract until 2027, has guided Benfica to 14 wins in 23 matches across all competitions but has faced criticism for inconsistent results. The Taça da Liga exit denies the club a chance at early silverware, with attention now turning to the Primeira Liga title race and an upcoming Taça de Portugal quarter-final against rivals Porto.
The defeat sparked fan protests outside the stadium, highlighting growing pressure on the team. Analysts note that Mourinho's psychological tactics – hoping for sleepless reflection and demanding dialogue – echo his past methods at clubs like Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, where he often used media platforms to challenge players publicly.
Benfica's poor first half was described by Mourinho as "awful" and "inexplicable," admitting: "It wasn’t Braga that won, it was us who lost." Braga, under coach Carlos Carvalhal (or successor), capitalized effectively, earning praise for their organization.
As the team isolates at Seixal for training sessions on Thursday and Friday, Mourinho aims to rebuild mentality ahead of the high-stakes Porto clash. The incident has reignited global interest in "The Special One," with social media buzzing over his vintage outburst.
This episode underscores the intense expectations at Benfica, one of Portugal's "Big Three," and Mourinho's determination to instill resilience despite suspensions and form dips.
