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Benfica’s recent struggles in the UEFA Champions League continued as they fell to Bayer Leverkusen, a result that pushed them to the bottom of their group. Jose Mourinho, speaking after the final whistle, expressed clear frustration with the match officiating and the overall flow of the game.
The Portuguese manager explained that what bothered him most was not simply the loss, but the manner in which valuable minutes were wasted throughout the encounter. In his words, the opposition’s gamesmanship should never go unnoticed by match officials.
Mourinho’s Words on the Referee
When asked whether the referee affected the outcome, Mourinho responded cautiously but firmly: “I don’t enjoy blaming referees without cause, yet it’s essential to acknowledge how much time the opposing team consumed.” According to him, the responsibility for controlling the game’s rhythm lies solely with the referee.
He continued by noting that the referee in charge was someone he had dealt with in the past. “We haven’t always seen eye to eye,” Mourinho admitted, emphasizing that their strained history played no role in the final scoreline. Nevertheless, he concluded by stating that Benfica’s downfall was due to their missed opportunities rather than the officiating itself.
Despite his irritation, Mourinho’s post-match remarks suggested a determination to fix his team’s offensive shortcomings before their next European fixture.
