Benfica manager Jose Mourinho expressed strong dissatisfaction with his players. This was despite his team’s 2-0 victory over Atlético CP. The match was a fourth-round fixture in the Taça de Portugal on Friday.
Mourinho deemed the first-half performance “unacceptable.” He spoke bluntly about his squad. He insisted that several players had “betrayed” his trust.
Speaking to RTP, Mourinho detailed his frustration at halftime. “I didn’t make five changes because I couldn’t play 45 minutes without a single substitution,” he stated. “But I made four. I think they changed the game because of intensity and seriousness.” He was clearly annoyed by the initial lack of urgency.
His halftime decisions sent a clear message. Mourinho believed the substitutes saved the match. They brought focus and hunger. This was something the starting lineup lacked.
Only a few players remained on the pitch after the break. Young forward Rodrigo Rego was among them. Mourinho spoke about Rego calmly. This contrasted sharply with his earlier criticism.
“He is set to continue,” Mourinho affirmed. “I can’t say if he’ll remain a starter, or if he’ll play next Tuesday or not. But I’m paying close attention to youth players. I’ve only been here a short time. I knew one thing about him. I couldn’t predict a great game or a lot of quality. But I knew he wouldn’t let me down. I don’t like players who let me down.”
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