Portuguese media take aim at Jose Mourinho after act that cameras missed against Newcastle

Benfica were soundly beaten by Newcastle United in the Champions League on Tuesday night and the Portuguese media did not hold back in their criticism of Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho’s Benfica were no match for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in the Champions League. The Portuguese outfit crumbled to a 3-0 defeat, with their manager producing a gesture on the night that went unnoticed by the cameras.

The Magpies cruised past their visitors at St James’ Park, with Anthony Gordon breaking the deadlock on 32 minutes. Harvey Barnes then bagged a brace after the interval to wrap up all three points. Former Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho had previously travelled to one of his old stomping grounds, Chelsea, in Europe last month and suffered defeat there as well, losing 1-0.

Gordon tore the Benfica defence to shreds, yet it was manager Mourinho who was quickest to congratulate him when the final whistle blew. The 62-year-old made a beeline for Gordon immediately after the match ended in a moment that TNT Sports’ cameras failed to capture, as he warmly embraced the UEFA Player of the Match.

However, the Portuguese press have been far less generous about the way the boss, who only took charge in September, organised his team.

Mirror Football examines some of the damning media responses to Benfica’s underwhelming display, with Mourinho’s approach coming under fire and yet more acclaim for a particular Newcastle wide man.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho shows true colours with full-time act after Newcastle thump BenficaREAD MORE: Jose Mourinho suffers familiar Newcastle fate as warm words come true in Champions League

‘Could have been even worse’

Portuguese publication A Bola were unimpressed with Mourinho’s side’s showing, with their match report carrying the headline: “Predator saw signs of weakness and went for the jugular.”

More specifically, it was the manager’s team selection that attracted criticism. Mourinho chose to deploy Tomas Araujo at left-back, despite the player typically being used as a centre-half or occasionally at right-back.

They wrote: “Mourinho adapted the team to Newcastle, not only by introducing Tomas Araujo to the left and Fredrik Aursnes ahead of him. But they often found themselves outnumbered on the flanks, a situation that persisted throughout the match.

“Respectively, Benfica couldn’t get a grip on the game, struggling to survive, looking like vulnerable prey, devoured by the predator. It was 3-0. It could have been even worse.”

‘Even more of a surprise’

Maisfutebol also took aim at this tactical choice from Mourinho, which was clearly intended to strengthen things defensively but failed to produce the desired outcome.

They wrote: “Mourinho brought Richard Rios back into midfield and, even more surprisingly, moved Tomas Araujo to the left side of the defence. The idea was to close down the flank when Newcastle attacked and pull the centre-back into the middle when Benfica won back possession.

“On paper, the plan sounded appealing, but the English didn’t hold back from putting it to the test persistently. It was primarily through this attack that they pressed forward, with Jacob Murphy and Kieran Trippier leaving Araujo and Aursnes constantly uncomfortable.

“In this complex game of balance, it was Benfica’s left side of the defence that ultimately crumbled. Mourinho’s return tour to England yielded no points for Benfica, who remain on zero in the Champions League standings.”

‘Mourinho’s wall broken down’

TSF also took a swipe at the manager’s setup with their headline reading: “Mourinho’s wall broken down by the English: Benfica loses to Newcastle.”

They were equally critical of Benfica’s players for their efforts, writing: “Benfica returned from the break still shaking, falling asleep on the pitch.”

‘Insufficient when the bar is set higher’

While some have pointed fingers at Mourinho, O Jogo suggests it is the team he has been given and not the manager who is to blame for this loss and previous poor results.

They stated: “This Benfica wasn’t built by Jose Mourinho, and it won’t be possible to clean up the mess as quickly as Benfica fans would have hoped, at least until the squad can be reshuffled in the January transfer window.

“It’s most likely that the pragmatic, minimum-services version that has been available for domestic consumption will continue to emerge on the pitch, but it is clearly insufficient when the bar is set higher.”

‘Omnipresent in attack’

Maisfutebol were also quick to heap praise on one Newcastle star in particular; Gordon. The winger scored a goal and caused Benfica’s defence numerous problems on the night, with the outlet highly complimentary of his performance.

Echoing Mourinho’s sentiment, they penned about the England ace: “He had the always interesting bonus of scoring a goal, but the England international’s performance went far beyond that.

“Omnipresent in Newcastle’s attack, he punished Tomas Araujo’s adaptation to the left, but also provided crucial support in the central zone. Near the end, he provided the assist for Barnes’s 3-0. A brutal match, complete with a goal to the applause of the fans.”

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