Mourinho and positive effects are spreading at Benfica

Benfica hasn’t really exploded in the first five games of Mourinho’s second term. They won two matches (against Aves SAD and Gil Vicente), tied two matches (against Rio Ave and FC Porto) and lost to Chelsea in the Champions League.

However, inside the team, the atmosphere is still filled with optimism and belief that the 61-year-old goalkeeper’s work is beginning to bear fruit.

Mourinho’s return, 25 years after he started his coaching career at Benfica, has not only generated an international resonance but also brought new energy to the player.

"Working with Mourinho was a childhood dream come true. I believe we can do something special," Ukrainian midfielder Heorhii Sudakov, 23, said after the Aves SAD win on September 21.

Similarly, 21-year-old Norwegian forward Andreas Schjelderup did not hide his excitement. He said: "It's unbelievable. I've been following him since I was a kid. Now being coached by Mourinho is a rare opportunity. I'm going to learn a lot."

Even though Mourinho said Schjelderup wasn’t strong enough for 90 minutes, the relationship between the two players was good. The player affirmed: "Working with Mourinho is really exciting. I have a great relationship with him."

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Benfica's players appreciate Mourinho's coaching method, ability to communicate and closeness. From going to the school for detailed training to how he approaches each player, everything made Benfica internally believe they were going in the right direction, even though the results did not reflect all the effort. Mourinho also impressed with his fiery speech in the dressing room, ahead of Benfica’s debut.

“Special” also shows absolute commitment to the job. He frequently stayed at the training centre in Seixal overnight, attended professional seminars such as the Benfica Health & Performance Congress, and even watched the matches of the B team to understand the youth training system.

"I haven't had enough time to make a clear impression on the way I play, but the organization and the spirit of the whole team are going in the right direction," Mourinho said after the 0-0 draw. “What we’ve shown in terms of organisation is great, and the team is growing every day.”

At Luz, both the management and the players believe Mourinho is laying the groundwork for a new phase of Benfica – where discipline, confidence and fighting spirit are clearly raised. While there is still much work to be done, Mourinho is step by step awakening the triumphant identity of a 37-time national championship team.

After the international break, Mourinho’s Benfica will successively guest against Chaves in the third round of the Portuguese Cup on October 17 and Newcastle in the third round of the Champions League on October 21.