A clash between FC Porto and Benfica always grabs attention. This upcoming ‘classic’ is no different, closing the eighth matchday of Liga Betclic. Ljubinko Drulovic, a name etched in the history of both clubs, sees it as a finely balanced affair. He thinks small details will decide who takes the victory.
Drulovic wore the blue and white of Porto from 1993 to 2001. He then switched to Benfica, playing for them between 2001 and 2003. This former Yugoslavia international knows these rivalries well. He points out that Porto, currently top with 21 points, started the season strong. They will push hard for a home win. Benfica, sitting third with 17 points, is in a period of change. José Mourinho just took over from Bruno Lage as their coach.
“This will be a massive football game,” Drulovic told Lusa. “Benfica looks like a completely different team under Mourinho. You could see it against Chelsea, even though they lost 1-0 in the Champions League. Their attitude and quality were much better. Porto is fantastic in the league right now. We expect a very even match. The little things will decide who takes the victory.”
Drulovic himself was a crossing master for Porto. He scored 65 goals and assisted 113 times in 327 official games. He credits Italian coach Francesco Farioli for building a “strong team” in just three months. Drulovic believes this Porto squad can truly fight for the title. Porto hasn’t lifted the league trophy since the 2021/22 season, and they are hungry.
“Porto is playing excellent attacking football,” Drulovic stated. “They are a balanced team, full of energy and quality. They have depth too. If key players are out, others step in, and the team hardly misses a beat. If they keep this up, Porto will be a serious title contender. Benfica and Sporting will also be in the mix for the Portuguese championship.”
After his time in Porto, Drulovic moved south to Benfica. He scored six goals and provided eight assists in 54 matches for the Eagles. He sees their new coach, José Mourinho, as a man still driven by ambition. Mourinho aims to add more trophies to the 26 he has already won as a head coach. His illustrious career actually began 25 years ago, right there at Benfica.
“Mourinho is a winner,” Drulovic declared. “He knows better than anyone how to lift trophies. The Portuguese championship will be very competitive again this year. Benfica’s start to the season wasn’t ideal because they changed coaches. With Mourinho, Benfica will become a team shaped in his image, a truly competitive side.”
Drulovic actually worked alongside Mourinho during the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons. Back then, Mourinho was an assistant to the legendary English coach Bobby Robson. Drulovic remembers him as “very intelligent” and having “great potential.” He even calls Mourinho “perhaps the best Portuguese coach ever,” noting how he opened doors for other Portuguese coaches abroad.
Drulovic played in 21 ‘classico’ matches himself. Eighteen were for Porto, and three for Benfica. His fondest memory comes from March 5, 1995. It was at the old Estádio das Antas. He scored the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory for his team. That win put them on the path to their first title of a historic five-in-a-row championship.
“It was a great joy for me to be part of those games,” he recalled. “They are the best in the Portuguese league, with packed stadiums and an amazing atmosphere. Rui Barros passed me the ball, and I scored against Michel Preud’Homme, Benfica’s goalkeeper. That goal felt huge. Everyone jumped on me: Mourinho, Yuran, everyone!”
Later, while at Benfica, Drulovic faced José Mourinho’s Porto twice. He lost both matches. He remembers that Porto team as “strong” and “almost unbeatable at home.” They played with incredible quality. That squad eventually won back-to-back national championships in 2002-03 and 2003-04. They also lifted the UEFA Cup in 2002-03 and the Champions League in 2003-04.
The 57-year-old former player himself won four Portuguese Cups and five Super Cups with Porto. He was also part of that legendary five-time championship winning team. He understands that some Porto fans might boo ‘the Special One’ when he returns to the Estádio do Dragão as a rival coach. But Drulovic believes most will respect Mourinho’s history with the ‘blue and whites.’ The match is set for 9:15 PM.
“Most FC Porto members will welcome him warmly,” Drulovic predicted. “Mourinho deserves that. He had fantastic seasons with the club. People will respect his past achievements. Sure, some will boo him, but that’s just part of being a professional in football. Some fans didn’t like his move to Benfica, but for everything he did at FC Porto, he deserves full respect.”