By Ion Axinescu
Copyright euroweeklynews
At 62, Jose Mourinho is back where it all began. Announced earlier this week as Benfica’s new head coach, The Special One made his return to Portuguese football with a statement victory: a 3–0 win away to AVS Futebol SAD on Saturday.
The match at the Estádio do Clube Desportivo das Aves started with early drama, a Benfica goal ruled out inside the first quarter of an hour. But control was never really lost. Just before half-time, Ukrainian midfielder Heorhiy Sudakov broke the deadlock with a sharp finish in stoppage time. After the break, Vangelis Pavlidis doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, before Franjo Ivanovic sealed the deal five minutes later, latching onto a pass from the Greek striker.
It has been 25 years since Mourinho last sat in Benfica’s dugout and more than two decades since he managed a club in Portugal. He replaces Bruno Lage, dismissed after a rough week that included a Champions League loss to Qarabag and a domestic draw against Santa Clara.
The result lifts Benfica to second place in the Primeira Liga with 13 points, behind leaders Porto on 18. AVS, meanwhile, slump to the bottom of the table.
From his brief first stint at Benfica in 2000 to Champions League glory with Porto, Premier League titles with Chelsea, and a globe-trotting career through Europe’s giants, Mourinho’s story is already football folklore. Now, he’s scripting a new chapter back in Lisbon.
Read here more sports news.
