With 0 points in the first four rounds, Mourinho: Benfica must beat Ajax, maybe they can advance with 9 points

November 25th: In the fifth round of the Champions League in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Benfica will go to an away game to challenge Ajax. For Benfica, this game will be very important if they want to break into the knockout rounds. At the press conference before the game, Benfica coach Mourinho talked about the team's preparations and also answered some questions that fans and the media were very concerned about.

On whether this is a finals-like game

I think it is, both teams are in exactly the same situation at the moment. I don't pay much attention to Ajax's next schedule. It doesn't make much sense to discuss these later. This game is crucial for both sides. 9 points may be enough to enter the play-offs. The team that loses tomorrow theoretically still has a chance to advance by winning the next three games, but looking at our situation objectively, the next three games will not be easy. We have to win tomorrow's game.

On how to use my European experience

My coaching history and statistics, whether positive or negative, I don’t think have any impact on the game. I don’t even know that I beat Ajax seven times, I remember playing against them in the Europa League final for Manchester United and playing against Real Madrid here. But none of this will have an impact on tomorrow's game, my focus is on Ajax's potential and their players, like ours, shouldn't be without a point after four games. I tried to analyze their current team and what they could be capable of at any given time.

Regarding the message I conveyed to the media and players after the game

Regarding the message I conveyed after the game, the players to my left can confirm that what I said to the media was also what I said to the players. I don't watch any of the tapes, but I know they have to have something to talk about, otherwise how can the 24-hour TV commentators have anything to talk about? For me and the players, it's over and that's the message I want to send. If you ask me if my training has been good recently, I would say yes, today's training and yesterday's training were very good, always. I have nothing negative to say, on the contrary they are training very well. I hope the team can go all out tomorrow and the players can concentrate. We have to win to keep our hopes of promotion going, nothing is more important than that.

About Ivanovic being substituted

I don't like it when people keep repeating the same things, but I understand. But when they lie, it pisses me off so much. If there is one player who gives it his all in training and games, it is Ivanovic. He is a very good lad who works very hard. Although his performance may not be satisfactory now, from a professional perspective he is impeccable. Commenting is one thing, making up is another. It's hard for me to accept when someone makes up lies about a player I love.

About Manu Silva

Manu Silva cannot play for 90 minutes. He will not start. There are certain limits on the time he can play and the help he can provide. He's not here for sightseeing or sitting on the bench and clapping, he's here because he can play. Silva will play if we need him. He has some limitations in terms of playing time and intensity, especially changes of pace. He does have some issues, but he's fit to play and he's fully recovered from his injury. He is training well now and we need him to balance the squad and he is very welcome. Now that he's here, that means he can help us.

About playing against Ajax

Ajax has some excellent players, and the coach also knows these players very well. He didn’t just join the team, he had been there for a while. He has identified some principles that could be improved upon, I'm not particularly concerned about the way they play. If you look at our performances and results in the Champions League, they think this game will be equally difficult and it will be a difficult game.

As to what is the biggest challenge

The responsibility to win the game, wanting to win and having to win are two different things. For me, it's the same thing because I always tell myself that we have to win and we need to be balanced. We know that in order to reach our goal of 9 to 10 points, I think 9 points is necessary. We have to win, but we have to play with intelligence, not just passion and impulsiveness.