Mourinho Orders Benfica Players To Sleep At Seixal Training Base After Shock Loss

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Jose Mourinho ordered the Benfica squad to remain overnight at the Seixal training centre after a 3-1 defeat to Braga in the Taca da Liga semi-final, insisting players must analyse the setback carefully before facing Porto in the Taca de Portugal quarter-final next Wednesday.

The loss ended an 11-match unbeaten sequence in all competitions for Benfica and came despite high expectations, as Sporting CP had already been eliminated from the Taca da Liga after a 2-1 defeat to Vitoria Guimaraes in the other semi-final on Tuesday, opening what looked like a clear path to the trophy.

Mourinho explained that Benfica’s players would remain at Seixal and follow a strict schedule in the immediate aftermath of the Braga defeat. "The players will sleep in Seixal, and on Thursday there is training, and the day after there's training," Mourinho said following the game. "Since there's no final on Saturday, our next game is against Porto next Wednesday [in the Taca dePortugal quarter-final]."

Mourinho added that the first hours after the match were not the moment for discussion, as frustration was still strong in the dressing room. "When we arrive in Seixal [on Wednesday], everyone will go to their rooms. I hope the players sleep as well as I do, which is to say that they don't sleep at all. That's what I wish for them. That they don't sleep and instead think a lot, like I'm going to think."

On the pitch, Benfica fell behind early against Braga, who struck twice before half-time through Pau Victor and Rodrigo Zalazar, giving Braga a 2-0 advantage at the interval. Vangelis Pavlidis converted a penalty in the second half to cut the margin, but Gustaf Lagerbielke scored with nine minutes left, while Nicolas Otamendi received a red card in the 90th minute as Benfica finished with 10 players.

Mourinho highlighted that serious tactical work would begin once emotions cooled. "On Thursday, we can start talking, which isn't what happened in the locker room," Mourinho added. "In the locker room, it was a monologue, and monologues don't work for me; I like to have a dialogue with the players. We'll talk about the differences between the first and second halves and prepare in the best way possible for the game against Porto."

Braga’s victory ended Benfica’s strong recent run under Mourinho, who took charge in September and has collected 14 wins from 23 matches so far, with the club currently sitting third in the Primeira Liga and still competing on multiple fronts despite the Taca da Liga exit.

The defeat and Mourinho’s strict response come at a key stage of the season for Benfica, with the squad staying at Seixal for extra training sessions on Thursday and Friday before turning full attention to Porto, as the group aims to respond quickly in domestic competition after the League Cup disappointment.