Benfica’s 2-0 Victory Over Napoli Can’t Hide Injury Crisis, Mourinho Admits 'I Cry'

Benfica supporters barely had time to celebrate qualification hopes before José Mourinho delivered another blunt reminder of reality: too many injuries, too little depth, and a Napoli side that simply keeps rolling. The Portuguese coach went as far as saying the gaps in his roster make him “cry,” a colourful confession that reignited debate across Lisbon cafés about whether the club can truly mount a Champions League run this winter.

At a glance

• Mourinho claims Benfica’s missing men leave him “in tears,” while Napoli thrive despite their own setbacks.

• The Eagles listed six long-term injuries ahead of Matchday 6 yet still beat the Italians 2-0 at the Estádio da Luz.

• Benfica remain alive in Group F but must avoid slip-ups in January to secure the knockout rounds.

• The coach insists he is “not thinking” about the transfer window, although fans and directors plainly are.

Mourinho’s pre-match lament

Facing the microphones on 9 December, the 62-year-old struck a tone both self-deprecating and confrontational. “My absences make me cry,” he sighed, before contrasting Benfica’s shortage with Napoli’s “adaptable, tactically versatile” squad. The remark was vintage Mourinho: half mind-game, half warning. He rattled off examples—Lukaku, De Bruyne, Højlund, McTominay—to illustrate how top sides plug holes without skipping a beat. For local listeners the subtext was obvious: the Lisbon giants, despite a €100 M summer spend, still lack a bench that inspires genuine continental fear.

A lengthy injury sheet

Medical updates released over the last fortnight reveal a dressing room running on spare parts:Alexander Bah (cruciate), Bruma (Achilles), Dodi Lukébakio (ankle fracture), Manu Silva (cruciate), and youngsters Henrique Araújo plus Nuno Félix are all sidelined until late December at best. Add the lingering effects of an October viral outbreak that swept through Seixal, and Mourinho’s tearful metaphor gains credibility. The coach has promoted three academy prospects, hoping they can shoulder Champions League pressure without wilting under the Luz floodlights.

Napoli’s silent reinventions

While Benfica mourns, Napoli merely reshuffle. Under manager Rudi García they switched to a 3-4-3 when their own stars fell, discovering in the process that winger Kvaratskhelia, midfielder Lobotka, and makeshift striker Raspadori can flourish in fresh roles. The Italian champions travel with a smaller wage bill than Benfica’s yet boast five straight away wins in Europe. Mourinho acknowledged as much: “They change shape and somehow emerge stronger.” It was admiration laced with envy—and a subtle plea to Benfica’s board.

What it means for Benfica’s European route

The 2-0 victory on 10 December keeps the Eagles within touching distance of the round of 16, but the mathematics are unforgiving. Benfica must earn at least 4 points from January’s double-header against Leipzig and Union Saint-Gilloise, while monitoring Napoli’s results. Goal difference—a traditional Achilles heel for Portuguese clubs—could still prove decisive. UEFA’s €9.6 M win bonus for knockout qualification would soften any January shopping spree, yet failure would intensify scrutiny on how resources were spent.

Transfer window talk: not yet

Reporters pressed Mourinho on possible reinforcements. He deflected: “We dream with who is here.” Behind the scenes, sporting director Rui Costa is weighing a short-term loan at right-back and a creative midfielder, budget permitting. The board’s dilemma is familiar to Primeira Liga followers: splash now and risk Financial Fair Play, or trust the youth pipeline and Mourinho’s man-management. Either way, Estádio da Luz ticket-holders have grown wary of mid-season gambles after last winter’s costly misfires.

The night it clicked

Ironically, on the evening when his grievances went public, everything fell into place. Goals from João Mário and 19-year-old debutant Tiago Parente settled the tie, while makeshift right-winger Fredrik Aursnes ran himself into exhaustion. Mourinho’s post-match verdict mixed pride with pragmatism: “We read the game perfectly, but we still lack numbers.” For now, tears have turned into three points. The question haunting Lisbon is whether emotion alone can carry Benfica through the gruelling European winter that awaits.