A lot of SL Benfica fans, starting by Fernando Santos, and myself included, are worried about the wave of injuries that is affecting Benfica players in the beginning of this season. It would be equally worrisome if there weren´t any injuries at all, especially muscular ones, in the beginning of each season. But it wouldn´t be as worrisome if Benfica, one week before playing their Champions League game against Copenhagen, wasn´t on the verge of not being able to use their main scorer, and the main off-season signing (Oscar Cardozo), and also their most experienced scorer (Nuno Gomes). Even more worrisome since SL Benfica plays the first game at home and needs to score some goals. I know its a difficult decision, but playing either of these players and risk aggravating their injuries (remember Luisão?), and potentially ruin a season seems like a wrong option. Jose Mourinho, who recently ran such risks, regretted his options in hindsight.

This brings to mind an interview that ex-Benfica coach Jose Mourinho, the Special One, gave to Frank Leboeuf, where he analyzes Chelsea´s last and the upcoming seasons. The interview can be seen on ESPN, titled “Mourinho Reflects on the Chelsea past season”.
What changes will Mourinho make on Chelsea next season?From this interview I highlight a couple of points that are somewhat pertinent in analyzing the SL Benfica of Fernando Santos.SL Benfica´s medical department was under close scrutiny last season. The injuries were many, were strange, and came at very critical times. Worse than Benfica, like Jose Mourinho points out, was really only Chelsea FC. For a worse beginning than Benfica this season, again just the Special One´s Chelsea.Mourinho, from whom a lot more was expected last season, much like was the case with Fernando Santos, pulls a “Fernando Santos” in this interview. For Mourinho, last season was after all positive and Chelsea did good. Did he see the interview Fernando Santos gave or is soccer just this the way?For those who like Jose Mourinho as a coach, its seems fair to point out that he and Fernando Santos don´t think that differently after all.