José Mourinho has acknowledged the challenges of handling the aftermath of Benfica’s loss to Real Madrid, stating that “every aspect” of the situation has proven difficult to manage.
Allegations of a racist slur aimed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior by Gianluca Prestianni, a Benfica midfielder, along with intense criticism directed at Mourinho’s comments after the match, have added significant pressure on the Portuguese coach.
The racism allegations involving Vinícius and the subsequent backlash towards Prestianni and Mourinho have heavily impacted Mourinho’s emotional state. He commented, “The game was truly demanding in every respect.” He further noted, “Until the 50th minute, it was a match of maximum intensity, both physically and tactically, requiring an immense level of concentration. However, I must also recognize that since the 50th minute, managing the emotional fallout from this situation has not been easy.”
The first leg of the Champions League playoff in Lisbon was paused for ten minutes after Vinícius claimed that Prestianni directed a racist remark towards him following his goal, the only one of the game.
UEFA has launched an investigation into these allegations, which Prestianni has denied.
After being sent off during the game, Mourinho faced criticism from commentators for suggesting that Vinícius might have incited the racist abuse with his goal celebration in his post-match interview. He conversed with both players during the ten-minute stoppage initiated by the referee pursuant to UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, later admitting he was uncertain about who was telling the truth.
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Benfica continues to support Prestianni and has labeled the accusations against him as part of a “smear campaign.”
Looking ahead, Mourinho will have to do without Prestianni for the upcoming league match against AFS due to a one-game suspension and emphasized the need for his team to remain focused on securing a victory. “We have an important game tomorrow for our ambitions and dreams,” he said. “Winning is crucial. We must focus and perform at our highest level.”