JOSE MOURINHO: "DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" FOCUS IS NAPOLI, NOT MCTOMINAY REUNION
Jose Mourinho is ignoring former players like Scott McTominay, insisting his only concern is Benfica's must-win Champions League match against Italian champions Napoli.
Jose Mourinho says his only concern is the game itself. He won't be thinking about seeing his old player, Scott McTominay, when Benfica plays Napoli.
Mourinho's return to Benfica hasn't been all smooth sailing since he took over from Bruno Lage last September.
His team is currently third in the league, eight points behind Porto and three behind Sporting, after their draw last Friday.
In the Champions League, Benfica is in a tough spot, sitting near the bottom of their group after only winning one of their first five games.
Mourinho wants to see a change tonight, but they'll have to play their best to beat Napoli, the current Italian league champions.
Napoli will be missing Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku due to injuries at Benfica’s stadium. Mourinho used to manage both when he was at Chelsea, and decided to let them leave.
McTominay, who Mourinho gave his debut at Manchester United, is ready to play for Napoli. He'll definitely want to keep up his good form against his former manager.
When asked if he was looking forward to seeing McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola, whom he coached at Roma, Mourinho told reporters, Those nice things happen before and after the game. Nothing more.
During the match, I'm not focused on that.
We need to win against a very good team, and it's going to be tough.
We'll do everything we can to get the result we want.
Mourinho dismissed the idea that Napoli might struggle without De Bruyne and Lukaku.
Injuries? "Don't make me laugh," he said.
It's my missing players that worry me, but I don't want to complain. Not having De Bruyne but having McTominay is the same.
They had to change their setup, and now they might be even better.
Napoli's coach, Antonio Conte, is happy with how his team has responded to their injury problems, with Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Alex Meret, and Stanislav Lobotka also out.
"Right now, the players are showing they're very responsible," Conte said.
Even if there's a small issue, we'll get through it together.
It's hard to replace players in midfield, but the guys have been willing to do whatever it takes, and the same players from the last game are here.
Conte still sees Mourinho as a winner and is excited to compete against him.
It's always great to play against Jose Mourinho's teams, Conte added.
He's a coach who wins, and everyone knows who he is.
It will be good to see him.
TOTTENHAM CONFIRM MANAGER POSITION FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST ATLETICO MADRID
Tottenham confirm Igor Tudor will remain in charge for the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid this Tuesday.
Tottenham has put an end to the speculation about Igor Tudor’s future by confirming he will stay on as head coach for their upcoming Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Sky Sports reports Tudor will lead the pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of this crucial fixture.
Pressure on Tudor had been mounting following a rocky start at Tottenham. There were murmurs he might be sacked after a series of disappointing results, but the late 1-1 draw against Liverpool seems to have provided a reprieve. Before that, the assumption was that one more loss, especially away at Anfield, could cost him his job. Confirming Tudor’s role for the Atletico clash signals the club is sticking with him for now, at least through the next big challenge.
That challenge is significant. Spurs are trailing 5-2 on aggregate after the first leg against Atletico, a match that drew sharp criticism for Tottenham’s performance. The game was difficult to watch, not only because of the scoreline but also because of a striking moment when goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was taken off just 17 minutes in, a rare and unsettling decision that highlighted deeper issues.
For Tudor, Tuesday’s match is both a test and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership. The confirmation of his position brings mixed feelings among fans. There’s a recognition that stability is important during such a hectic part of the season, yet lingering doubts remain after some shaky displays.
Fans watched the first leg against Atletico with a sense of disbelief. Conceding five goals and that early goalkeeper substitution raised legitimate questions about the team’s preparation and tactical choices. That substitution felt emblematic of a chaotic night, reflecting larger problems.
The gritty draw with Liverpool, though, offered a glimpse of fighting spirit and earned some credit for resilience, even if the overall form is inconsistent. Moments like that can offer managers breathing room in tough times.
Still, supporters crave clarity and a long-term vision. Tottenham has shifted its direction multiple times in recent years, and the fans want a coherent plan moving forward. Tudor now has a clear chance to reinforce his authority and bring some order against a tough Atletico side.
Even if overcoming the deficit proves elusive, Spurs supporters will be looking for signs of organisation, determination, and a stronger team identity. That might be the most valuable takeaway from the clash.
UCL DRAW 2026 LAST 16: PREMIER LEAGUE GIANTS FACE BRUTAL DRAW IN QUEST FOR EUROPEAN GLORY 2026
The Champions League draw is out! Read the full list of fixtures, including Man City vs Real Madrid and Newcastle’s trip to Barcelona.
Manchester City will go head-to-head with Real Madrid in what’s easily the standout fixture of this season’s Champions League round of 16.
UEFA stuck to the same process as last year’s new format, running the draws for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals all on the same day in Nyon, Switzerland.
There’s still plenty of English interest left in the competition. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Man City all made it through, which pretty much guarantees the Premier League an extra Champions League spot next season thanks to the UEFA coefficient.
With the seeding and pairing rules, each of the 16 teams already knew they’d be facing one of just two possible opponents in the next round.
Liverpool and Tottenham ended up in the same section of the bracket. No surprise, since they finished third and fourth in their groups.
Arsenal, who topped their group, drew Bayern Munich. Manchester City got Sporting Lisbon, and Chelsea lined up against Barcelona.
After Newcastle’s play-off win over Qarabag, they were slotted into their section of the bracket.
Now that the draw’s done, here’s what’s coming up: Chelsea will take on defending champions PSG, and Newcastle will get Barcelona.
Real Madrid against Manchester City is the pick of the bunch, two giants going toe-to-toe.
Liverpool will face Galatasaray, while Tottenham will meet Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to play either Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta – a tricky tie either way.
Here’s the full Champions League last 16 draw for 2025/26:
Manchester City vs Real Madrid
Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
And for the Europa League quarter-finals:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea vs Galatasaray/Liverpool
Real Madrid/Manchester City vs Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona vs Tottenham/Atletico Madrid
Bodø/Glimt/Sporting vs Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
The Europa League semi-finals shape up like this:
Paris Saint-Germain/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
Newcastle/Barcelona/Tottenham/Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt/Sporting/Bayer Leverkusen/Arsenal
As for the dates, here’s what you need to know:
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15, 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 & May 5/6, 2026
Final: May 30, 2026, in Budapest
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