In a dramatic twist of fate, Bayer Leverkusen is gearing up for a rematch with Jose Mourinho's team, a clash that could ignite old flames. The last time these teams met, Mourinho's Roma dashed Leverkusen's hopes of reaching the 2023 Europa League final. But here's where it gets interesting: Leverkusen's managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes, believes that very defeat was a turning point for the club.
According to Rolfes, the 2022-23 Europa League semi-final loss to Mourinho's Roma was a bitter pill that fueled Leverkusen's subsequent success. The 1-0 aggregate defeat, he claims, provided an 'incredible incentive' for the team to bounce back stronger. And bounce back they did, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal the following season, only to fall short in the Europa League final against Atalanta.
As Leverkusen prepares to face Benfica, led by Mourinho, on Wednesday at the Estadio da Luz, the memories of that fateful semi-final linger. Rolfes reflects, 'Sometimes, it takes moments like that to achieve something big.'
But the story doesn't end there. Benfica, winless in this season's Champions League, is desperate for a victory. Kasper Hjulmand, their coach, emphasizes the importance of both teams' determination to win. This sets the stage for a thrilling encounter, where the past meets the present, and the desire to triumph is palpable.
And this is the part most people miss: Is Mourinho's presence a motivating factor for Leverkusen, or will history repeat itself? Can Benfica capitalize on their home advantage and secure their first points? The stage is set for a captivating contest, leaving fans and critics alike wondering: Who will rise to the occasion and claim victory?
