José Mourinho admitted this Friday that Benfica is the favorite to finish the I Liga football season in second place, securing a spot in the Champions League qualifiers. Speaking in Seixal, Mourinho noted that he would have preferred to need nine points to achieve this goal, rather than the current seven, to maintain higher pressure on his squad. The race for second intensified following recent slips by rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Sporting's recent form has been a significant factor in this shift. An unexpected 1-1 draw against AFS, the league's last-placed team, in the previous round, put the 'encarnados' (Benfica) in control of their own destiny for second. Further compounding Sporting's woes, they stumbled again at Alvalade, drawing 2-2 against Tondela in a rescheduled 26th-round match, leaving Benfica needing just seven points from a possible nine to secure their objective.

Mourinho expressed a somewhat counter-intuitive preference, stating, "It may seem strange, even incomprehensible, but I would prefer to need nine points to qualify [for the Champions League]." He explained that he vividly remembers "situations of less difficulty" where Benfica "stumbled," emphasizing his desire for his team to feel "pressured" and "the responsibility" of what they are about to achieve.

"I think this kind of pressure makes those who are stronger even stronger," Mourinho justified. "I have, obviously, already spoken with the players about this aspect. I don't want a team thinking that seven points are enough; I don't want a relaxed team; I want a pressured team." His focus remains on maintaining intensity and avoiding complacency as the season draws to a close.

Later, after acknowledging Benfica's favoritism for second place, Mourinho elaborated on his "reservations" regarding the remaining schedule for both Lisbon rivals. Benfica faces the fourth-placed team (Sp. Braga, in the 33rd round), the fifth-placed team (Famalicão, 32nd round), and the seventh or eighth-placed team (Estoril, 10th, in the 34th and final round), which he described as one of the best-playing teams in the league. Mourinho analyzed, "Our calendar is much more difficult for us than for them."

Sporting's remaining fixtures include hosting Vitória de Guimarães (seventh) on Monday, visiting Rio Ave (12th, in the 33rd round), and concluding their season at Alvalade against Gil Vicente (sixth). Despite not winning for five games, being eliminated from the Champions League, losing chances to retain the national title, and even falling to third place, Sporting renewed their coach's contract this Friday.