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Mourinho’s Benfica already has a clear identity and behaviours that are non-negotiable for the Portuguese coach. Since arriving at Estadio da Luz, the Special One has focused on building a team that presses high with intensity, is pragmatic in attacking the goal, and stays compact when defending.
Five months and 30 matches into his tenure, the idea of “snapping at the opponent’s heels” has been well understood by the players, with the last three games being the clearest reflection of this hunger for attacking football.
The 29 shots against Alverca, 24 against Tondela, and 22 versus Real Madrid are impressive numbers and, as Mourinho himself has admitted, the only thing missing is a bit more efficiency in finishing. Still, the concept is firmly in place and doesn’t end with just winning the ball back.
'Mourinho was very demanding defensively'
Having played 114 matches under Mourinho, Willian recalls some of his ideas. At the Blues, he would set up the wingers differently to ensure defensive balance without giving up on having players ready to attack as soon as the ball was won.
"Mourinho was very demanding when it came to the team’s defensive work, but he always looked to balance one side more than the other. For example, at Chelsea, I remember Hazard would stay further forward when we were defending, and I would drop back a bit more. He didn’t have both wingers track back at the same time to follow the opposing full-back.
"One would drop deeper while the other stayed higher up, so that when we won the ball, especially in transition, there would be players in advanced positions to attack. If both wingers drop back, the team wins the ball too far from the opponent’s goal. So, he was very demanding defensively, but always with a clear strategy," explains the Brazilian international, now playing for Gremio, in an exclusive interview with Flashscore.
In the Portuguese league, for example, Benfica has the best average for ball recoveries in the opposition half (5.8 per game). The high press pushes opponents back into their own defensive third and forces them to play faster and longer than they’d like. This has been the case against teams of all levels, from Alverca and Tondela to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
More than just keeping the ball, Mourinho’s team wants to dictate where the game is played, often managing to do so far from their own penalty area.
'I never saw him lost'
When Benfica’s performance is put into a European perspective, things become even clearer. Among the top five leagues, Inter averages 5.3 recoveries in the opposition half in Serie A, Athletic Bilbao reaches 5.8 in LaLiga, Hoffenheim hits 6.0 in the Bundesliga, Brighton has 4.7 in the Premier League, and PSG leads with 6.2 in Ligue 1.
In other words, Benfica is right up there with the best in this aspect across the top leagues.
The same is true in the Champions League, where the Eagles are still alive after a dramatic win over Real Madrid. The Luz side finished among the top four teams for recoveries in advanced areas, with 6.1 per game, just behind Athletic Bilbao, PSG, and Olympiacos, underlining the consistency of their approach even at the highest level.
This is no coincidence. Pressing in the opposition half is a core part of Mourinho’s DNA: a team that plays high up the pitch, aggressive on the ball carrier, and ready to turn recoveries into immediate chances, bringing the game closer to the opponent’s goal and increasing the likelihood of creating danger right after winning the ball.
"Mourinho is a top-quality coach. He’s always been someone who knows how to manage the whole squad, and his group management was - and still is - very good. He was respected by everyone and made a big impact both in the dressing room and at the club. He’s also very smart and knows how to get the best out of every player," Willian praises.
"I never saw him lost: he always knew exactly what needed to be done, how the team should play, defend, and attack. He wasn’t a coach who spent hours on the pitch working on tactics; sometimes, 10 minutes was enough for the players to understand exactly what he wanted for the game. He’s definitely an exceptional and very intelligent coach," he adds.
Freedom for the fearless youngsters
Whether domestically or in Europe, the principle remains: press the opponent from the very first moment. For Mourinho, the forwards are also the first defenders, and defensive organisation starts up front. This approach has been reflected in the performances of Prestianni and Schjelderup, who have clearly improved their ability to press, cut off passing lanes, and disrupt the opponent’s build-up from the start.
Even with this positive response, the Eagles’ coach remains focused on fine-tuning timings and collective coordination, aiming for a team that is ever more aggressive in pressing the opposition’s build-up, closer to the opponent’s goal, and therefore more lethal.
The idea is to reduce the space and time available to the ball carrier, forcing mistakes in dangerous areas and turning recoveries into immediate goal opportunities. When the press works, Benfica compresses the field, settles in the attacking half, and attacks with a high defensive line, creating a suffocating effect that pins the opponent near their own box. That’s the territory where Mourinho’s team looks to decide matches.
'I believe they can win the league'
Beyond tactical ideas, Willian highlights the direct relationship Mourinho maintained with the group and the transparent way he communicated with the players.
"He was a very demanding coach, always pushing the players and speaking openly. If we played well, he’d say it straight; if we didn’t, he’d say that too. He was a very honest person," he says.
"I have a story with him from a match against PSG, in 2014 if I’m not mistaken. We lost 3-1 in Paris, and in the second leg we won 2-0, with the second goal coming right at the end. In that game, I lost a challenge to Cavani, Mourinho got annoyed and had a go at me, and we ended up arguing.
"Later, in another play, I won the ball and made a good move; at the end of the match, he came and hugged me. That’s how he was: he demanded when he had to, but he also knew how to recognise good work. I only have good things to say about him. He was a coach I learned a lot from and for whom I have great admiration. For me, he was the best coach I ever had."
The current situation is tricky when it comes to the Portuguese league standings, but the belief remains. From across the Atlantic and years after working together, Willian still follows Mourinho’s journey and believes the coach’s experience can make the difference in the title race.
The Brazilian concludes: "I’ve been following a bit, sometimes I see news and also some highlights of Benfica’s games. I have no doubt he has what it takes to win the title. As I said, he’s a great coach and, in these moments, he knows how to get the best out of his players. That’s why I truly believe he can win the Portuguese league."
