Mourinho plays down 5-2 loss to Benfica

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has played down the importance of his side's 5-2 defeat to Benfica in the Eusebio Cup on Friday.

 La Liga champions Real fielded an under-strength team at Estadio da Luz and were surprised by a rampant second-half display from the hosts after going into the break with the scoreline at 2-2.

 After the match, Mourinho said he did not take a serious approach to the game and warned Benfica not to get carried away with the result.

 "There is no such thing as heavy defeats in friendly matches," he told reporters. "We knew the risk we were taking.

 Benfica did not wish to test new things, they played seriously.

 "I hope this victory will boost their morale, but in a balanced way. Because if they give too much importance to this result, it could be negative for them.

 "I hope to return here during the season, but to play an official match, and to win when winning matters."

 Meanwhile, Fabio Coentrao said his former team Benfica were worthy winners on his return, one year after leaving the Portuguese club.

 "It was a good game and a good spectacle," Coentrao said. "We did not expect this result, but we were missing many players and we had several others from the Castilla (second) team.

 But Benfica deserved to win. "I am a Benfica fan and I did not want to waste the opportunity to play in my stadium once again."

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Benfica deny Witsel to Real reports

Benfica have issued a statement denying that they have received any offers for midfielder Axel Witsel. 

 The Belgium star was being courted by Spanish champions Real Madrid, who reportedly tabled a considerable bid for the 23-year-old's services.

 However, the Portuguese club have since posted on their official website that no proposal for Witsel has been forthcoming, and his release clause continues to stand at 40 million euros.

 "In light of the news published on Saturday in several newspapers, Benfica can clarify that it has received no proposal for the player Axel Witsel to date, and that he has a release clause in his contract," the statement read.

 Despite the statement, Portuguese daily A Bola claims the former Standard Liege man is keen on making the move to the Bernabeu, and talks over a possible transfer may commence in the coming weeks.

 Meanwhile, Benfica have also clarified their stance on Chievo defender Boukary Drame.

 The Senegal left-back joined the Flying Donkeys last season, and developed into an important player under Domenico Di Carlo.

 "The news about the interest in Drame is pure fiction and he is not en route to Benfica," he said.

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