EXCLUSIVE: Benfica’s Vitor Vinha discusses Youth League semi-finals and his experience alongside Mourinho

Amidst the aspiration to reclaim the Youth League title and the commitment to “train the Benfica way”, Vitor Vinha underscores a philosophy focused on the holistic development of players alongside fostering a competitive spirit, all geared towards preparing young talents for the highest levels of the sport.

The emerging coach also points to the increasing synergy between training sessions and the senior Eagles’ squad, referencing the recent introduction of several young players into the first team, crediting Jose Mourinho for his significant role in this developmental journey.

Through concrete illustrations and a well-structured outlook for the project, a unified aim shines through: to perpetuate the emergence of talent and secure the club’s future at the elite level.

‘A competition of great importance for us’

Benfica has a rich history in this competition, which holds significant value for youth teams across Europe. What does this continuous participation reflect on the efforts of Benfica’s youth system?

Vitor Vinha: “Our consistent presence in every edition of the Youth League, including four finals and one trophy in our cabinet, reflects the outstanding work that Benfica has accomplished in nurturing players for the elite.

“From the moment a player joins the Benfica Campus, there is a dream to play in the Youth League. Each final and participation underscores the great effort of everyone involved in shaping these players.

“This competition is vital for us and crucial for our players’ development. We are proud to be a part of it, with a longstanding history to uphold while simultaneously continuing to develop it. That’s our commitment.”

In this competition, young players are exposed to different challenges compared to the national league, especially facing some of the best players of their generation. What do these European fixtures contribute to the growth of these players?

“The Youth League is significant in its own right, as it’s essentially a precursor to the Champions League, the zenith of European football. Given that the Youth League mirrors that elite level, it’s where leading European training methodologies converge.

“The top talents, teams, and development initiatives assemble here. We gain a preview of future stars, many of whom will transition to the highest professional levels. For instance, several players from this year’s Youth League have already debuted in the Champions League.

“Thus, we could view this as a glimpse of the future Champions League. Observing the evolution of players and teams is fascinating and can even bring surprises.

“Understanding our context is essential; it’s our workplace and daily environment. However, facing other teams that also produce top players makes for a compelling observation and assessment. This competition greatly aids player development. It serves as a precursor to the Champions League, showcasing the burgeoning stars of tomorrow.”

As we approach your upcoming semi-final opponents, Club Brugge, please provide your thoughts on your team’s performance thus far. There have been impressive matches, plenty of victories, and a challenging quarter-final against Inter Milan…

“At first glance, the results have been exceedingly positive. We excelled in the group stage, suffering just one loss in London under special circumstances, where the goals didn’t reflect the teams’ levels. It did indicate efficiency, as we created opportunities to score more than we managed.

“Chelsea capitalised on almost every chance they created. Nonetheless, that match proved to be a turning point, prompting us to reassess our approach and for our young players to understand which areas needed improvement.

“We also must acknowledge that we reached the group stage during the Under-17 World Cup, where we proudly emerged as champions, with nine Benfica players taking part. Others stayed to play in the Youth League and needed to step up, with many being consistent starters.

“Thus far in this Final Four, we present a solid and capable team, boasting the most prolific attack in the competition’s history. We enter this decisive week with immense ambition and readiness, aiming to overcome Brugge in pursuit of another final—our clear objective.”

What challenges do you anticipate in this match, and where can Benfica create an advantage?

“Brugge is a robust team, and their record closely mirrors ours, with eight victories and one defeat. They possess the competition’s best defence, having conceded merely five goals, which speaks to their stability and the strength of their individual players as well as their cohesive attacking line.

“However, what matters more than Brugge is our team and what we can achieve. Our players bring impressive individual quality. As I mentioned earlier, we operate as a cohesive unit; we are a closely-knit family, and this unity is pivotal to our success thus far.

“If we maintain our cohesiveness, high standards, and execution, I believe we will perform well and achieve our desired outcome against this opponent.”

Is the goal to replicate the success of 2022, when Benfica claimed this competition?

“Our primary focus is on reaching the final before contemplating past achievements. Our attention is solely on Brugge; we are preparing diligently for this match, analysing their strengths and weaknesses. We aim to conceal our vulnerabilities while showcasing our gameplay, embodying what it means to be Benfica.

“Naturally, we aspire to win and reach the final, but our immediate focus is on overcoming Brugge, as that must be our sole concern for now.”

Do young players educated at Benfica feel confident that success will open doors to the first team?

“Absolutely. Young players joining Benfica are aware of the numerous success stories, including Joao Neves, Cancelo, Antonio Silva, Tomas Araujo, Samu, and others. These figures, along with those who debuted this year, set a standard for the entire youth system.

“They recognise that with hard work, dedication, and holistic development—physically, technically, tactically, mentally, and socially—they will be closer to fulfilling the dream of playing for the first team.

“However, it’s important to note that not every player will succeed in reaching that level. They understand from the outset that while not everyone may make it, they’ll be better positioned to build a career within Benfica. Our role is to support them throughout this journey.”

Benfica invests heavily in its training programmes. Do you envision a future where the first-team project relies more on homegrown talent?

“Absolutely. It’s part of our long-term vision at the club—to nurture, develop, and prepare young players to rise into our first team and the elite of football. This is our daily mission.

“The entire structure and framework are designed with this goal in mind, facilitating the growth of our young athletes. We’ve performed exceptionally well in this regard, and we are committed to bringing even more talent into our first team.”

‘Mourinho has inspired my journey as a coach’

“This experience has been remarkable. I often describe it as a deep-rooted passion that evolved into a fulfilling career. I’ve grown immensely, contributed significantly, and remain committed to the development of both Benfica and its young players.

“It’s a profound honour to be part of this club, to don its iconic crest, and to come to work daily to contribute to this esteemed institution. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be here.”

In what ways has your experience at Benfica transformed your coaching style?

“Certainly. Working at an elite level with Benfica brings substantial learning opportunities. My background as a professional player and assistant coach prepared me, but the journey truly accelerated when I arrived here.

“Engaging with top players, various departments, and embracing every chance to grow and evolve has been phenomenal. My aim is to contribute while also expanding my own knowledge and skills every day.”

Is it significant to work at a club where Jose Mourinho is a key figure?

“Certainly. Personally, I, like many coaches, felt a strong desire to pursue coaching inspired by watching Jose Mourinho. His influence played a role in my path. Being able to learn from one of the greats of the game and one of Portugal’s finest coaches—someone with an incredible track record of success—is truly remarkable.

“The opportunity to interact with him, observe his methods, and learn from his experiences is extraordinary. His stature, coupled with Benfica’s legacy, creates a unique environment.”

Does having a figure like Mourinho closely monitoring the youth team create added pressure?

“Absolutely. Jose Mourinho is a regular and keen observer of the youth teams. He’s quickly familiarised himself with our setup and is very engaged with our young talents, having facilitated numerous debuts.

“This is invaluable for us, especially from a personal standpoint, to have one of football’s legends nearby. His insights and feedback hold immense weight. We’re on this journey together, and it’s powerful. We must strive to continue this path.”

To conclude, what message would you like to convey to the Benfica supporters?

“First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude for the unwavering support shown to our team throughout this journey. On behalf of myself and Benfica, thank you. Their presence is vital.

“Football is laden with emotions, and our fans instil that passion within us. Their high expectations challenge us daily. For me, these demanding supporters are both inspiration and essential drivers of our growth.

“I encourage everyone to come and support us in Lausanne. Many have already committed to attending, which is fantastic; I hope the stadium is awash in red. Their support is crucial as we showcase the potential of this team and these promising players.

“Let them rally us to victory because their enthusiasm makes every challenge easier. For those unable to attend, I hope they can join us on television and through various platforms. Their backing and continued high standards spur us on to greater heights.”