José Mourinho has hit back at Luís Pinto after the pundit questioned Benfica's merit in their recent 3-0 victory over Vitória Guimarães. The win, secured after a red card for Vitória, sparked debate, with Pinto suggesting Benfica's success was diminished by the numerical advantage.
Mourinho's Sharp Response
Mourinho, never one to shy away from a verbal joust, responded with a mix of criticism and veiled praise. "I was Luís's age once," Mourinho stated, "and I said even sillier things than I do now. Now I say less silly things. He's a talented young man, and if everything goes well, he'll get there."
Benfica's Dominant Second Half
The Benfica coach also highlighted his team's performance, particularly in the second half. He praised Leandro Barreiro and Andreas Schjelderup for their contributions, noting the team's increased aggression and pressure after the break. "We pressed more, we were more aggressive when we lost the ball," Mourinho explained. "Vitória didn't get past the halfway line."
Ignoring the Critics
Mourinho anticipated criticism, suggesting some would downplay the victory due to the red card. "Even eleven against eleven, knowing the league, I can imagine that some enlightened people won't give it the credit it deserves because it was eleven against ten," he said. "I cling to eleven against eleven, and we steamrollered them. Because we did everything right."
Controversy Around Sudakov Challenge
The match wasn't without controversy. Vitória Guimarães players and staff complained about a challenge by Benfica's Sudakov, arguing it warranted a red card. This incident further fueled the debate surrounding Benfica's victory.
- Benfica won 3-0 against Vitória Guimarães.
- Luís Pinto questioned Benfica's merit after the red card.
- Mourinho responded with a mix of criticism and praise for Pinto.
- Mourinho highlighted Benfica's dominant second-half performance.