Mourinho Begins Benfica Stint with Statement Victory over AVS

Jose Mourinho made a triumphant return to the Portuguese top flight after more than two decades away, guiding Benfica to a convincing 3-0 victory over AVS Futebol SAD in Liga Portugal’s Round 6 on Saturday evening. The result was a perfect start for the man known as “The Special One,” who this week replaced Bruno Lage as Benfica’s head coach and immediately reminded fans why his presence is often associated with instant impact.

The Estadio do CD das Aves was buzzing long before kick-off, with Benfica supporters turning out in numbers to witness Mourinho’s first league game back in Portugal since leaving Porto for Chelsea in 2004. There was a nostalgic air to proceedings, an unmistakable sense that history was looping back on itself, as Mourinho walked into the dugout of the club where his head coaching career first began, albeit briefly, in 2000.

Despite the emotional backdrop, Mourinho approached the match with his trademark focus. He deployed a compact 4-4-2, opting for experienced heads like Nicolas Otamendi in defence and Georgiy Sudakov in midfield, alongside new arrivals Vangelis Pavlidis and Franjo Ivanovic. AVS, fighting to stay clear of the relegation zone, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and sought to frustrate Benfica with a deep defensive block.

The first half was a cagey affair, with Benfica dominating possession but struggling to break through AVS’s well-organised back line. Mourinho, ever the animated figure, cut a restless figure on the touchline, barking instructions and urging his players to increase the tempo.

His persistence paid off in stoppage time of the first half, when Georgiy Sudakov finally broke the deadlock. A clever move down the right ended with Sudakov finding space at the edge of the box, his low strike skimming past the outstretched gloves of goalkeeper Bertelli to make it 1-0 just before the break.

The goal transformed the rhythm of the game. AVS, who had been content to sit back, were forced to open up in search of an equaliser, and Benfica seized control. The second half was an exhibition of the kind of ruthlessness Mourinho has demanded from his sides throughout his career.

Benfica doubled their lead just before the hour mark when Vangelis Pavlidis calmly converted from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul on Sudakov inside the area. The Greek striker showed nerves of steel, sending Bertelli the wrong way and sparking wild celebrations among the travelling fans. Five minutes later, Franjo Ivanovic put the result beyond doubt, latching onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from Aursnes before slotting home with precision to make it 3-0.

From there, Mourinho’s men controlled the tempo, shutting down any hopes of a late AVS comeback. Otamendi and Antonio Silva were imperious at the back, while goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin had little to do thanks to Benfica’s disciplined shape and control of possession.

The final whistle was met with rapturous applause, as Benfica not only collected three vital points but also sent a message to the rest of the league that Mourinho’s tenure could be one to watch. The victory lifted Benfica up the table and restored a sense of belief after a stuttering start to their campaign under Lage.

For Mourinho, it was a night that blended sentimentality with professionalism. His return to Benfica was more than just a managerial appointment, it was a homecoming, an opportunity to pick up where he left off more than 20 years ago. While this was just the first step in what promises to be a long season, the performance suggested that Benfica under Mourinho will be a well-drilled, tactically astute side capable of mounting a serious title challenge.

AVS, meanwhile, were left to rue a promising first half in which they largely kept Benfica at bay but were undone by a moment of quality before the interval. Their quest for points continues, with Sousa’s men needing to quickly regroup ahead of next weekend’s clash against Portimonense.

For Benfica fans, though, the night belonged to Mourinho, who, true to form, delivered exactly what was required: a win, a clean sheet, and the sense that something significant is beginning to take shape at the Estadio da Luz.

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