Benfica look to make UEFA Youth League Final Four again

Benfica will travel to Italy to take on Inter Milan today in the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Youth League at the KONAMI Football Centre as the club looks to make the Final Four of the competition once again.

Benfica currently hold the competition records for most final fours, most matches played at 70 and biggest win in the Finals, a 6-0 defeat of Red Bull Salzburg in 2022, when they lifted the trophy of the competition for the first time.

Benfica have reached three other Finals in the competition, losing in 2014, 2017 and 2020. The Portuguese club's ability to produce young talent at their academy that go on to shine at the senior level is legendary.

The club will not have it easy in a one leg knockout today but they go to Milan full of confidence as they look to make it five final fours in the history of the competition. Cross town rivals Sporting will take on Real Madrid in the other quarter-final today in hopes of getting two Portuguese clubs into the Final Four. 

 

Mourinho handed two match ban by Portuguese League

In a dramatic turn during last Sunday's Portuguese League blockbuster, Jose Mourinho received a red card in Benfica's intense 2-2 draw against FC Porto, his former club where he famously won the Champions League. 

The incident occurred in stoppage time after Benfica's late equalizer, when Mourinho left his technical area and was accused of kicking a ball toward Porto's substitutes' bench in celebration and was shown a red card.

Tensions escalated as Mourinho clashed with Porto assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez, whom he accused of repeatedly calling him a "traitor" in the tunnel. Mourinho defended his loyalty, questioning what he had "betrayed" after giving his all to Porto years ago.

The Portuguese Football Federation's disciplinary council has ruled, a one-match ban for the red card, plus an additional 11-day suspension, effecting another game for provoking the confrontation. This two-match ban means Mourinho will miss one more game after sitting out today's 2-1 come from behind win by Benfica over Arouca.

Benfica title hopes on life support

The Classico at Estadio da Luz this past weekend ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw, keeping Benfica's unbeaten streak intact at 25 matches but a needed victory against league leaders FC Porto failed to materialize the result that was needed to bring the title race to within four points.

With just nine league games remaining, Benfica are still mathematically in the race but their chance of capturing the Portuguese League crown is now on life support as the club will need some help if they are to leap over two clubs before the end of this campaign.

Realistically, Benfica must win out and hope their rivals falter, the draw preserved the campaign but the club will need many things to go their way, including a crucial away clash against Sporting who currently sit in second, three points ahead of the Eagles. The fans have faith but their persistence will be tested in the final games of the season.