Mourinho’s Sleep Decree: Benfica Players Grounded at Seixal After Braga Defeat

Mourinho disciplines Benfica players after their Braga defeat tonight.

Overnight at Seixal

Mourinho whisked his players to spend the night at Benfica's training base following their 3-1 loss to Braga in the Portuguese League Cup semi-final.

The Portuguese coach, appointed last September, said he hoped the players would not sleep and would think a lot instead.

Benfica had already fallen behind, losing 3-1, ending with ten men after Nicolas Otamendi was sent off.

Mourinho, who took charge in September, said players would stay at Seixal's training base until further notice.

What Mourinho Demands and the Road Ahead

He told reporters, 'The players will sleep in Seixal, and on Thursday there is training, and the day after there is training too'.

He added that since there is no final on Saturday, their next game would be against Porto on Wednesday.

When they arrive at Seixal, everyone will head to their rooms; he hopes the players sleep as little as he will.

Mourinho also said discussions could begin on Thursday, something not heard in the dressing room before, because monologues do not please him; he prefers dialogue.

Finally, he said they would talk about differences between the first and second halves and prepare in the best possible way for Porto.

Punchline: If sleep is the prize, Mourinho is running a marathon; Punchline 2: The only thing getting shut down tonight is the players' eyelids.