Scenes outside team hotel ahead of Benfica tie
(Video) Jose Mourinho receives positive reception from Real Madrid supporters in Madrid
Jose Mourinho received warm chants from Real Madrid fans after arriving in Madrid with Benfica ahead of their Champions League clash.
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Mourinho welcomed by Real Madrid supporters
Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho arrived in Madrid with Benfica on Tuesday ahead of their decisive match against Real Madrid in the second leg of Champions League knockout playoff.
Spanish newspaper AS shared video footage showing Real Madrid fans greeting Mourinho outside the team hotel. Supporters were heard chanting:
“Come back… we want you”
As the former Real Madrid coach entered the building.
Autographs and fan interaction
The same outlet later published another video of Mourinho leaving the hotel shortly after arriving. The Portuguese coach stopped to sign autographs and take photos with fans before getting into car and heading out for lunch at another location.
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The scenes highlighted the strong bond that still exists between Mourinho and sections of the Real Madrid fanbase, years after his time at the club ended.
Return links addressed before the tie
In recent days, Mourinho’s name has been linked with possible return to the Santiago Bernabeu as replacement for Spanish coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
However Mourinho played down those rumors before first leg between Benfica and Real Madrid.
He made it clear that his focus remains fully on his current job and the task of guiding Benfica through the European competition.
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Match context ahead of second leg
Real Madrid hold the advantage going into Wednesday’s match after winning 1-0 in first leg at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
The result puts the Spanish side in strong position as they aim to secure place in Champions League round of 16.
Benfica now face tough challenge in the Spanish capital needing strong performance to overturn the deficit.
Mourinho previously coached Real Madrid between 2010 & 2013, a period marked by major domestic success and intense rivalry at the top of Spanish football.
