After a stunning 4-2 victory in Lisbon last month, José Mourinho has made it clear he expects a fierce response from the 15-time European champions when the sides meet again in the play-offs. His warning was pointed and deliberate.

“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous.”

Those words sum up exactly how he views the task ahead.

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When Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in the final match of the league phase, it was not just another win. It was one of the most extraordinary nights of this Champions League campaign.

The Portuguese side looked to be edging through in dramatic fashion, clinging to a 3-2 lead as the clock ticked deep into stoppage time. Then came chaos.

Down to nine men after red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, Real Madrid conceded a late free-kick. Up went goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the 98th minute. What followed was pure theatre. The Ukrainian rose highest and powered a header beyond Thibaut Courtois, sending the Estadio da Luz into delirium.

For a club of Real Madrid’s stature, the defeat was seismic. It dropped them from third to ninth in the standings, costing them automatic qualification and forcing them into a play-off tie. For a side that measures seasons in trophies, not participation, it was a bruising blow.

Few managers understand Real Madrid better than José Mourinho. A former coach at the Santiago Bernabéu, he knows exactly how they respond to setbacks.

His assessment was both respectful and defiant.

“We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League.”

Mourinho’s reference to Madrid as “kings” is no exaggeration. With 15 European titles, they are the competition’s most decorated side. Yet his Benfica team have already shown they can disrupt that aura.

Still, Mourinho is not naive. He expects the Spanish giants to arrive in Lisbon with pride hurt and motivation sharpened.

“It will be very demanding, without a doubt.”

This is classic Mourinho. Publicly praise the opponent, underline their pedigree, but quietly reinforce belief within his own dressing room.

The first leg takes place at the Estadio da Luz, and home advantage could once again prove decisive.

The Lisbon crowd was electric during the previous encounter and will be expecting more of the same. But Mourinho has already ruled out a repeat of the late drama from his goalkeeper.

“Trubin won’t be in the attack at the Luz stadium.”

Behind the humour sits a serious point. Mourinho understands that knockout football is about control. The emotional rollercoaster of the league phase will now be replaced by calculated, tactical caution.

He added:

“People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result.”

This is a reminder that over two legs, momentum can swing quickly. Mourinho has built his career on mastering these ties. From Porto to Inter to Chelsea, he has navigated countless high-pressure European encounters. He knows that patience, discipline and psychological edge often matter more than early fireworks.

Despite their European stumble, Real Madrid remain formidable. They currently sit top of La Liga, holding a narrow advantage over Barcelona.

Domestically, they look every inch a champion side. Their squad depth, big-game experience and individual quality remain unquestioned. For them, the defeat in Lisbon was not a sign of decline, but a rare lapse.

That makes Mourinho’s “wounded king” analogy even more powerful. Real Madrid are not fragile. They are proud. And pride in European competition often translates into ruthless performances.

The key question is whether Benfica can once again unsettle them physically and mentally. The previous encounter exposed moments of defensive vulnerability and emotional indiscipline, culminating in two late red cards. Mourinho will surely look to apply similar pressure.

What makes this tie even more compelling is the journey Benfica have taken to reach this stage.

After losing their first four matches in the league phase, few would have predicted they would reach the knockout rounds. Yet Mourinho’s side showed resilience, tactical adaptability and growing belief to claw their way back.

That dramatic win over Madrid was not just about the result. It symbolised a team that refused to accept elimination.

Currently third in the Primeira Liga, Benfica are balancing domestic ambitions with European dreams. Mourinho’s experience has been pivotal in steadying the squad through highs and lows.

For him, this tie is also personal. The victory last month marked his first ever win over his former club. It carried emotional weight, but he knows sentiment has no place in a two-legged knockout.

Champions League football at this stage is rarely decided by talent alone. It is about psychology, timing and composure.

Real Madrid will arrive determined to restore order. Benfica will look to prove that the Lisbon miracle was no fluke.

Mourinho’s comments suggest he is preparing his side for a storm.

“I’ve been doing it all my life.”

That quiet confidence speaks volumes. He has built a reputation as a manager who thrives when doubted and who relishes facing Europe’s elite.

For Benfica, the mission is clear. Stay compact. Exploit transitions. Maintain emotional discipline. And above all, believe.

This encounter is about more than progression. It is about narrative.

For Real Madrid, it is about reasserting their dominance in a competition they define. For Benfica, it is about proving they belong among Europe’s elite once again.

Mourinho versus Madrid always carries subtext. Loyalty, rivalry, legacy. Yet at its core, this is a tactical duel between a master strategist and a club that refuses to stay down.

The first leg in Lisbon could set the tone, but as Mourinho insists, nothing will be decided in one night.

The kings have been wounded. Now Europe waits to see how they respond.