'The special one' ignites a new fire at the Bernabéu

Barcelona"Why?" This is the question on the minds of many Real Madrid fans after their 4-2 defeat at Benfica, which left them outside the top eight in the Champions League. The script for the final European night was worthy of an Oscar-nominated film. Barça came from behind to beat Copenhagen 4-1 and finish fifth, while Mourinho, the special oneHe won the battle against Álvaro Arbeloa, forcing Real Madrid to play two more matches if they want to reach the round of 16. With Real Madrid in ninth place, Bodø/Glimt – who come into this match after beating Manchester City (3-1) and Atlético Madrid (1-2) – or José Mourinho's Benfica are the likely opponents for Los Blancos in the round of 32. The draw takes place this Friday.

"It's a collective schizophrenia, week in, week out," sources in Madrid point out. After the elimination from the Copa del Rey in Arbeloa's debutThe feeling seemed to be improving. Victories against Levante (2-0), Monaco (6-1), and Villarreal (0-2) had restored optimism to the Bernabéu, but the reality was quite different. The journalists made sure to convey this to the Real Madrid coach. "The results in the last two weeks are very mixed. In La Liga, you've cut three points, but Real Madrid is out of the Copa del Rey and out of the Champions League top eight, two things we had secured before you arrived," they criticized him. Arbeloa took full responsibility, but reminded everyone that they weren't eliminated from the Champions League. However, unlike on other days, the first public disagreements between the coach and some of his players resurfaced. With the score at 3-2 against them, the coach substituted Arda Güler with reserve team player Jorge Cestero – leaving Dani Ceballos and striker Gonzalo on the bench. A change that didn't sit well with the Turkish midfielder, who left the field complaining about always being the one to come off. Arbeloa explained in a press conference that it was to protect the players and allow for fouls to break up counter-attacks, but in stoppage time, Asensio and Rodrygo were both sent off for two yellow cards. Furthermore, Güler hadn't received a card.

An unexpected hero

In the mixed zone, the players were equally blunt about the defeat. "If we'd gone into halftime losing 5-1, nobody would have been surprised. [...] It's not a question of quality or tactics, but of having more desire than the opponent," admitted Mbappé, who scored both of Real Madrid's goals. The French striker also described Benfica's last goal as "shameful." It was a bizarre situation, since Benfica needed to score to avoid elimination from the Champions League, but Mourinho confessed that he thought they were through at 3-2. Upon realizing this, he sent Trubin up to head a free kick in the final action of the match. And the goalkeeper became the hero of the night.

It was a goal that Mourinho celebrated with great enthusiasm in front of the Real Madrid bench, where Álvaro Arbeloa was sitting. The two had shared a dressing room during the Portuguese manager's time at the helm of the club. After the match, Mourinho apologized and claimed that these are situations one doesn't think about. "In that moment you forget it's Real Madrid and that Arbeloa or Chendo are on the bench." A new controversy erupts at Florentino Pérez's club before their return to the Bernabéu on Sunday (2 p.m. against Rayo Vallecano). Following their elimination against Albacete, The fans greeted the players and the coach with whistles.For now, the team has a day off this Thursday – despite the defeat – and won't return to training until Friday. This schedule hasn't pleased those who follow the club closely.

In any case, Barça did the job and will have two weeks without a match in February, while Real Madrid will have to play a Champions League tie. With such a tight schedule, being able to rest could be key in deciding the league title. As the MARCA front page says, it was a "lesson from Mou."