Mourinho already tasted something unique with that 4-2 victory in the league phase, his first ever win against Madrid as a manager. And let’s be honest, it was not just a win. It was a tactical lesson in intensity, transitions and emotional control.

Real Madrid arrived there sitting third, and left ninth, forced into this playoff. Benfica pressed high, attacked with numbers and punished every defensive transition. The 4-2 scoreline almost looked kind to Madrid. It could have been heavier. The goalkeeper Trubin even scored in the 98th minute, a moment that symbolised how much belief and courage this Benfica side has at home.

Madrid, of course, remain Madrid. They are the second highest scorers in the competition and they have the leaders in assists and goals, with Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé is chasing Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a single Champions League campaign, and in these types of nights he usually appears. But I cannot ignore the absences. Jude Bellingham is injured, Rodrygo is suspended, and that changes the balance of their attacking structure. Without Bellingham’s timing between the lines and Rodrygo’s width and one-v-one ability, Madrid lose unpredictability.

I expect Arbeloa to try and control the rhythm more than in the previous meeting. Perhaps a slightly deeper block, protecting transitions, and trying to exploit Vinícius and Mbappé in space. But this is where Mourinho is so dangerous. He will not allow chaos unless it benefits him. I see Benfica being aggressive in moments, especially with Pavlidis attacking the box and Schjelderup cutting inside from the left, but also intelligent enough to close central corridors and force Madrid wide.

Benfica’s home form gives me even more confidence. They have not lost at home in the league this season and they come into this match unbeaten in five games in all competitions. The atmosphere at the Luz will be intense, emotional, almost hostile. Madrid have shown vulnerability away from home in Europe recently, and psychologically they know what happened here just weeks ago.

For me, the key will be the midfield battle. If Barreiro and Barrenechea can disrupt Madrid’s build-up and prevent clean progression to Mbappé and Vinícius, Benfica will grow into the game. Mourinho will prepare every detail, from set pieces to pressing triggers. He lives for nights like this. I genuinely believe he can once again outwit his former player, managing the tempo, the spaces and the emotions.

I am not saying it will be easy. Madrid’s quality is undeniable and in a single action they can change everything. But with the memory of that 4-2 still fresh, with the crowd behind them and with Mourinho in masterclass mode, I see Benfica fully capable of taking at least something positive from this first leg and travelling to the Bernabéu very much alive in the tie.

穆里尼奥已经在联赛阶段4-2的胜利中尝到了一些独特的东西，这是他执教以来第一次战胜皇马。说实话，这不仅仅是一场胜利。这是一堂关于强度、过渡和情绪控制的战术课。

皇家马德里以第三名的位置抵达，以第九名的位置离开，被迫进入了这场季后赛。本菲卡高压，多人进攻，并惩罚每一次防守转变。4-2的比分对马德里来说几乎是仁慈的。它本来可以更重的。门将特鲁宾甚至在第98分钟进球，这一刻象征着本菲卡队在主场有多么的信念和勇气。

当然，马德里还是马德里。他们是联赛中得分第二高的球队，他们的助攻和进球数领先，他们有Vinícius Júnior和基利安·姆巴佩尔。巴巴多斯正在追赶c罗在欧冠单赛季进球最多的纪录，在这种类型的夜晚，他通常会出现。但我不能忽视缺席。裘德·贝灵汉受伤，罗德里戈停赛，这改变了他们进攻结构的平衡。没有了贝灵汉的把握时机、罗德里戈的宽度和一对一的能力，马德里失去了不可预测性。

我希望阿贝罗阿能比之前的比赛更努力地控制节奏。也许一个稍微深一点的块，保护过渡，并试图利用Vinícius和mbappappe在空间。但这正是穆里尼奥的危险之处。除非对他有利，否则他不会允许混乱。我看到本菲卡在一些时刻很有侵略性，尤其是帕夫利迪斯进攻禁区，施耶尔德鲁普从左路内切，但他们也足够聪明，可以关闭中央走廊，迫使马德里边路。

本菲卡的主场表现给了我更多的信心。本赛季他们还没有在主场输过球，并且在本场比赛中保持了五场不败。卢兹的气氛将是紧张的，情绪化的，几乎是敌对的。马德里最近在欧洲的客场表现出了脆弱性，从心理上来说，他们知道几周前在这里发生了什么。

对我来说，关键是中场的战斗。如果巴雷罗和巴雷内切亚能够扰乱皇马的阵型，阻止他们顺利晋级到巴萨和Vinícius，本菲卡将会在比赛中成长起来。穆里尼奥会准备好每一个细节，从定位球到逼抢扳机。他喜欢这样的夜晚。我真的相信他能再一次战胜他的前球员，控制节奏，空间和情绪。

我并不是说这很容易。马德里的实力是不可否认的，他们一个动作就能改变一切。但4-2的记忆依然清晰，球迷们在他们身后，穆里尼奥在大师模式下，我认为本菲卡完全有能力从首回合中获得一些积极的东西，并且在伯纳巴乌的比赛中充满活力。