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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DéJà VU: JOSE MOURINHO MEETS HIS NEWCASTLE NEMESIS ONCE MORE
Anthony Gordon's goal sealed a memorable Champions League night for Newcastle at a roaring St. James' Park, handing Jose Mourinho a familiar defeat on Tyneside despite his deep affection for the club and its legendary connection to Sir Bobby.
When Jose Mourinho is in the opposing dugout, his passion for Newcastle can only go so far, as evidenced by his icy-cold gaze after Anthony Gordon found the net. At St James' Park, the self-described "little Magpie" could only watch as his team lost in the Champions League.
For Mourinho, who had only won three of his previous 12 games in Newcastle going into the match, it was a familiar fate. Having managed Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham in the past, the Portuguese's trip to Benfica was one of the few occasions when he would have gone into a match as the underdog.
And on yet another unforgettable night, the Geordies defeated Mourinho, who has gained the club's devotion because of his strong friendship with Sir Bobby Robson, a legend of the Toon Army, at home for the sixth time. Before the match, Mourinho declared, "I have never concealed how much Newcastle means to me because of the influence of a legendary guy at this club."
It is great to play football in St James' Park. Individuals come here to play the game with them, not to watch it. It is this club, the history, the fervour, and the supporters, not just the stadium."
However, Mourinho had different goals going into the match because Benfica needed points following losses to Chelsea and Qarabag. Sitting as low as 33rd on a 36-team table is unfamiliar to the veteran.
However, as Newcastle regained possession and released Jacob Murphy down the flank after a heavy press and disciplined defending, the former Chelsea manager saw Newcastle's 12th man on full show. Gordon scored his fourth goal of the Champions League season after the winger's low cross went straight into his path on the six-yard line.
Benfica also had opportunities, as Dodi Lukebakio, a constant menace, cut in from the right and struck the post after some deft movement. Mourinho's smile was insufficient, as he left the tunnel before the halftime horn blew, possibly indicating that some severe words were said in the dressing room.
The Magpies kept goalie Anatoliy Trubin busy at the beginning of the second half, but Nick Pope was just as active. But it was the latter's attacking performance that was more noteworthy than his strong net defence.
Pope provided some straightforward football, and Newcastle demonstrated flexibility. The goalie played in Harvey Barnes with a huge throw that went over the halfway line.
The former Leicester player found a clever finish from a tight angle to increase Newcastle's lead, but he still had work to do as bodies started to put pressure on him.
Gordon was next to discover Barnes in the box after Nick Woltemade made a nice gesture to locate him. Newcastle celebrated with another strong finish, and Mourinho covered his face as his team went 30 minutes without attempting to score.
Newcastle undoubtedly made an effort to live up to Mourinho's pregame remarks. With their current financial clout with the owners, the squad is on the verge of even greater success.
"It’s a really distinctive club because of the culture in this region; it’s very different culturally from London and from Manchester. I enjoy playing here. "It is beautiful here, and you will feel that atmosphere tomorrow evening," I told my guys.
The Magpies came up short against a team with a clear European heritage. Last term, Benfica made it to the round of 16, which Eddie Howe and company will aim for.
Although it is unlikely that Mourinho's remarks to his players would have an impact on the mood after the loss, Newcastle took a significant and constructive step by moving up to six points from three games in the European group stage.
ARTICLE 14: WHY A 10-MATCH BAN FOR PRESTIANNI WOULD BE A HISTORIC UEFA PRECEDENT
UEFA is investigating alleged racist abuse against Vinícius Jr. Discover why Mbappé wants a lifetime ban for Gianluca Prestianni.
UEFA has put out a statement about the alleged racist abuse Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr faced during the Champions League playoff against Benfica.
Vinicius scored a brilliant goal in the second half, sealing a 1-0 win for Madrid in the first leg on Tuesday night. But the match took a dark turn when Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni allegedly made a racist remark during Vinicius’s celebration.
Right after, Vinicius ran straight to the referee to report what happened. That set off a heated scene. The game stopped for 10 minutes while players argued, and several Madrid teammates spoke up afterwards, saying Prestianni called Vinicius a “monkey.”
Vinicius left the pitch after the incident, with his teammates following him before play eventually resumed.
Prestianni denies everything. Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, tried to stay neutral; he wouldn’t take a side. He did admit he felt Vinicius had provoked the crowd and Benfica players with his celebration, and referee François Letexier gave Vinicius a yellow card for it.
Now, UEFA says they’re looking into things. If the referee’s report includes the incident, they’ll launch an investigation.
Here’s what UEFA said: “The official reports from the matches played last night are currently being reviewed. If matters are reported, proceedings are opened, and if disciplinary sanctions are imposed, they’re announced on the UEFA disciplinary website. We don’t have more information or further comment right now.”
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Vinicius has dealt with racist abuse. He’s faced it from fans across Spain in recent years, sparking the “Baila Vini” hashtag as support poured in for him on social media.
Kylian Mbappe, who played alongside Vinicius, has spoken out too. He’s demanding a lifetime ban for Prestianni, saying he heard the slur himself. Mbappe also said he walked off the field at Vinicius’s request and insists Prestianni shouldn’t play in the Champions League again.
Benfica pushed back on that claim. They posted a video on X showing Mbappe wasn’t near Vinicius and Prestianni when the incident happened. The club also released a statement addressing the rumours about what went on in the tunnel at Estadio da Luz.
EUSéBIO REFERENCE: WHY DID MOURINHO USE A CLUB LEGEND TO DEFEND A RACISM ACCUSATION?
Is Mourinho wrong? Analyse the fallout of the Vinícius racism incident, featuring insights from Seedorf, Henry, and Walcott.
During Real Madrid's Champions League match at Benfica, an incident of alleged racist abuse against Vinicius Junior occurred, sparking widespread condemnation. Trent Alexander-Arnold called it a disgrace to football, while Jose Mourinho's comments on the matter drew criticism.
The game was paused for 10 minutes after Vinicius reported that Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni had allegedly hurled racist insults at him. Vinicius and his teammates briefly left the field in response.
Vinicius, who has faced racist abuse before, posted on Instagram that racists are, above all, cowards.
Benfica's manager, Mourinho, suggested that Vinicius didn't celebrate respectfully after scoring a goal in the 1-0 victory. This happened just before the incident at the Estadio da Luz.
Mourinho commented, 'Something is wrong because it happens at every stadium.' Wherever Vinicius plays, something always happens.
Clarence Seedorf, a former Real Madrid midfielder, responded to Mourinho's claims on Amazon Prime, saying, 'I think he's still emotional and made a mistake justifying racial abuse.' Saying it's OK to be racist when Vinicius provokes you is wrong. We should never justify racial abuse. Vinicius has had enough unjustified behaviour. Mourinho deep down would agree, but he misspoke.
Alexander-Arnold, speaking after the match, said, 'What happened tonight is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance and the amazing goal.' Vini has experienced this before. Ruining a night like this is a disgrace. There's no place for it in football or society. It's disgusting.
Mourinho spoke with Vinicius after the player walked off the pitch following the exchange with Prestianni.
Mourinho said that Vinicius and Prestianni gave conflicting accounts of the incident. He also mentioned Benfica's legendary striker, Eusebio, to argue that Benfica isn't a racist club, while also saying he felt Vinicius incited the crowd with his celebration.
'Yes, I believe so,' Mourinho stated. It should be a crazy moment, an amazing goal. But he wasn't just happy to score that goal. When you score like that, you celebrate respectfully.
He added, 'I told Vinicius to just celebrate and walk back.' When he argued about racism, I reminded him that Eusebio, the biggest person in this club's history, was Black. This club is the last thing from racist. If he thought something related to that, this is Benfica.
They told me different things. I don't believe either one – I want to be independent.
Theo Walcott said on Amazon Prime after hearing Mourinho's interview, 'I'm usually calm and don't get angry often.'
I admire Jose Mourinho's work in football, but he made a poor decision here. This was a time he shouldn't have spoken, a night he should have stayed away from cameras.
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius' teammate at Real Madrid, suggested that Prestianni should be banned from the Champions League because of the alleged incident.
Mbappe stated, 'This has never happened to me.' It's important to be clear, not general, on important matters like this. I respect Benfica and their coach, one of history's best, who made history with Real Madrid. But this player doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League anymore.
We can't accept this behaviour in Europe's top competition. This guy doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League, but we'll see. We'll leave it to Uefa, who always try to act. They have a serious case now, and I hope they do something.
Prestianni has not yet commented.
With the second leg coming up next Wednesday in Madrid, Walcott urged UEFA to take swift action.
This needs immediate action, not months of waiting, Walcott said.
Thierry Henry, speaking on CBS, talked about his own experiences with racist abuse as a player.
I can relate to what Vinicius Junior is going through. It happened to me many times on the field. Sometimes you feel alone because it's your word against theirs, since we don't know what he said, Henry shared.
He covered his mouth with his shirt. He already looks suspicious because he didn't want people to see what he said.
Let's see if Prestianni will tell us what he said.
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