José Mourinho, Benfica's coach, acknowledged this Friday that his team is favored to secure second place in the I Liga, but expressed a preference for a situation with greater pressure. In a press conference previewing the visit to Famalicão, Mourinho emphasized the importance of keeping his players focused, despite the advantage gained over Sporting in the race for qualification to the Champions League pre-eliminatories.

Benfica's position significantly improved after Sporting's recent "slips." The "lions'" draw away to AFS (1-1) in the previous round, and the subsequent 2-2 at Alvalade against Tondela, left Benfica dependent only on themselves. Now, the "encarnados" need just seven points out of a possible nine to achieve their goal of finishing in second place.

Counterintuitively, José Mourinho stated that he would prefer to need nine points to qualify for the Champions League. The coach from Luz remembers "less difficult situations" where Benfica "stumbled," which is why he wants his team "pressured" and to "feel the responsibility" of what they are about to achieve. "I don't want a team thinking seven points are enough, I don't want a relaxed team, I want a pressured team," justified the "special one."

Mourinho explained his "reservations" about the remaining schedule for the two Lisbon rivals, highlighting the challenge Benfica will face. "Benfica plays against the fourth-placed team [Sp. Braga, in the 33rd round], the fifth [Famalicão, in the 32nd round], and the seventh or eighth [Estoril, in the 34th and final round], which is one of the teams that plays best in the league," he analyzed. For the coach, Benfica's calendar is "much more difficult" than Sporting's.

In contrast, Sporting, despite not winning for five games and having fallen to third place, has a calendar that Mourinho considers more accessible. The "lions" host Vitória de Guimarães (seventh), visit Rio Ave (12th, in the 33rd round), and finish, at Alvalade, with Gil Vicente (sixth).

Despite the acknowledged favoritism, José Mourinho's message to his players is clear: there is no room for relaxation. The visit to Famalicão is seen as a crucial test for the team's mentality, which must approach every game with utmost seriousness to consolidate their position and secure participation in the Champions League pre-eliminatories.