Benfica manager José Mourinho has insisted his side remain firmly in contention for a place in the Champions League knockout stage despite their 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Tuesday night.
The result left the Portuguese champions struggling in Group F, but Mourinho believes that qualification is still within reach. Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, the veteran coach outlined a clear path forward for his team.
“We have 15 points to play for, with three matches at home,” Mourinho said. “We lost to Chelsea away, Newcastle away, which in the end wouldn’t be dramatic. I would say maybe ten or eleven points are what we need to qualify — so game on.”
Benfica endured a difficult night in England, with Newcastle producing a ruthless second-half performance to secure their first win of the group campaign. Goals from Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimarães, and Harvey Barnes sealed victory for Eddie Howe’s side.
Despite the heavy defeat, Mourinho praised his players for their first-half display, arguing that the scoreline did not reflect the balance of play.
“It was a good performance in the first half,” he said. “It’s not easy to come here and play the way we did — creating four big chances, hitting the post, and being the team that, in my opinion, was closer to winning before the break.”
Benfica were left to rue missed opportunities, with Ángel Di María and Rafa Silva both going close before Isak opened the scoring for Newcastle in the 43rd minute. The Portuguese side’s momentum faded after halftime as the hosts took control.
“The second goal killed the game,” Mourinho admitted. “That was the only moment when Newcastle put pressure on their opponents, and they took advantage. But I can’t criticise the effort or attitude — the players gave everything.”
The defeat leaves Benfica bottom of their group, having lost two of their opening three fixtures. However, Mourinho’s optimism stems from the fixture schedule, with three of their remaining matches set to be played at the Estádio da Luz, where they have been formidable in domestic competition.
The two-time Champions League winner remains confident that the Lisbon club can turn their campaign around with a strong home run. “At this stage, every point is vital, but the competition is still wide open,” Mourinho said. “We know what we need to do. Ten or eleven points should be enough, and we’ll fight for every one of them.”
Mourinho’s calculated optimism has resonated with Benfica fans, many of whom see this as a crucial test of the coach’s tactical resilience. The 62-year-old, who returned to Portuguese football this summer, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of balance and focus during his side’s European campaign.
“We’ve played some top-quality opponents away from home,” Mourinho noted. “Now we return to Lisbon, where we know our fans will be behind us. The Champions League is a marathon, not a sprint.”
Benfica’s next match will be against RB Salzburg, who currently sit second in the group. Victory in that fixture would reignite their qualification hopes and ease pressure on Mourinho after consecutive defeats.
In domestic football, Benfica remain near the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table, and Mourinho has used that stability to remind critics that his project remains on track. “We are building something solid,” he said. “The team is progressing, and even in defeat, we are learning important lessons.”
As the group stage enters its decisive phase, Mourinho’s confidence may prove crucial in rallying his players and supporters. “Game on,” he repeated. “We’re still in it — and we’ll fight until the end.”
