Jose Mourinho has stoked the flames ahead of a high-stakes Champions League playoff, claiming Benfica are "unhappy" and would have much rather faced Feyenoord than Fenerbahce. The veteran Portuguese coach is just one step away from leading the Turkish giants into the main stage of Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 17 years.

• Mourinho aims dig at Benfica 
• Fenerbahce beat Feyenoord to make playoff round
• Champions League return within reach

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Trailing Feyenoord 2-1 from the first leg of their third-qualifying round tie, Fenerbahce unleashed a ruthless second-leg performance, roaring to a 5-2 victory on the night and sealing a 6-4 aggregate triumph. The result marked another European masterclass for Mourinho, who outfoxed former Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie in the opposite dugout.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The playoff draw against Benfica comes with a personal twist for Mourinho. The Lisbon club was where he took his very first head coach role 25 years ago, though his stint was infamously short, lasting less than three months in 2000. Now, he returns with the opportunity to deal a major blow to their European ambitions.

• WHAT MOURINHO SAID

  Speaking after his team’s sensational qualifying triumph, Mourinho didn’t shy away from pointing out the challenge Benfica now face. 

  "I think they'd prefer Feyenoord," he told reporters. "They know we're stronger, they know it won't be easy for them. But let's go. I want to play, the fans want to play, the players want to play.

  "It's important financially, it's important in terms of prestige. But we're playing against great teams, Feyenoord and now Benfica, it's not an easy playoff. But honestly, I think Benfica isn't happy."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Fenerbahce’s last appearance in the Champions League group stage was in the 2008-09 season. Since then, the club has battled through domestic challenges and endured a series of near misses in European competition.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News