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| | Jose relishes Benfica battle |
Thursday 14 August, 2008 |
| Inter Coach Jose Mourinho is looking forward to returning to his homeland to take on Benfica in the Eusebio Cup tomorrow.
Mourinho’s pre-season has been hit by injuries to key defenders, but the Nerazzurri still secured prestigious wins over Bayern Munich and Ajax.
The Portuguese tactician is pleased with the way his preparations are going and believes his side is going in the right direction.
“We have worked well for about a month and we have played some tough friendlies,” Mourinho told Inter’s official website.
“We haven’t played against any small teams that we would have beaten 10-0 and we have been away from home.
“Benfica will be the same. They have a wonderful stadium and a crowd of maybe 55,000 and we will be facing a side that want to win the Portuguese championship playing their first match a home. It will be a good test.”
Inter and Benfica will be fighting for a trophy named after Portuguese legend Eusebio – one of Mourinho’s idols.
“Eusebio is the true king,” the Inter boss stressed. “He’s the only player in Portugal who played for Benfica but was also admired by fans of every other team, including Porto and Sporting.
“From a professional point of view, tomorrow will be an important chance for the team to improve, but from a personal perspective it will have special significance as it is a return to Portugal to play for a trophy dedicated to Eusebio.”
Mourinho concedes that he will field a depleted side tomorrow evening but he has confidence that the team is evolving.
“It will be an Inter side without a lot of players,” he admitted. “We have been in this position since the start of our preparations.
“In Munich we had two teams – one on the pitch and one in the stands – and it will be the same in Lisbon, but the ones that are unavailable will be in Appiano Gentile with the fitness Coaches and medical staff.
“It’s a shame that Adriano can’t play because the team expected him to start alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the lads are working well and seem confident.”
Mourinho started his managerial career at Benfica back in 2000 when he was promoted from assistant Coach after Jupp Heynckes' dismissal.
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Adriano to miss a month
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