Mourinho set for emotional return as Real Madrid face Betis at La Cartuja

Jose Mourinho will return to La Cartuja on Friday, the Seville stadium where he began building his managerial legend, when Real Madrid meet Real Betis in La Liga.

The Portuguese coach has particularly strong memories of the venue, which Betis have used since last season while renovation work continues at the Benito Villamarin. It was at La Cartuja in 2003 that Mourinho won his first European trophy with Porto, beginning a rapid rise to the top of the game.

Real Madrid, however, have more mixed memories of the stadium. They lifted the Copa del Rey there in 2023, but suffered defeat in their most recent final at the ground against Barcelona in April last year.

Mourinho spent several months in charge of Benfica before making his name at Uniao de Leiria. Porto then appointed him in January 2022, according to the source article, giving him the opportunity to rebuild the side around a group of prominent players including Ricardo Carvalho, Costinha, Deco, Dmitri Alenichev, Helder Postiga and Jorge Costa.

That work culminated in Porto winning the UEFA Cup on 21 May 2003. They defeated Celtic 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic final at La Cartuja, a match Mourinho has previously described as one of the most memorable of his career.

“I remember that match at La Cartuja as the most exciting of my life,” Mourinho said.

He will return to the Seville stadium 23 years later, this time as the manager of a side facing Real Madrid in the Spanish top flight. The Portuguese coach was reminded of those early achievements when he saw La Cartuja’s redeveloped stands and the removal of its athletics track.

His memories of facing Betis also include a notable defeat. While managing Chelsea, Mourinho saw his side lose 1-0 at the Benito Villamarin in 2005, in what remains Betis’ most memorable victory during their only previous participation in the Champions League. Betis have returned to the competition this season.

Dani scored the only goal against the Chelsea team owned by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich and managed by Mourinho.

Real Madrid’s record at La Cartuja has been inconsistent. On 7 May 2023, they won the Copa del Rey by beating Osasuna 2-1, with Rodrygo scoring twice. But on 23 April last year, they lost another final to Barcelona by the same score after extra time, with Jules Kounde scoring the decisive goal.

Madrid also endured frustration at the stadium in La Liga last year. Hector Bellerin scored a late equaliser in stoppage time to secure a 1-1 draw for Betis, cancelling out Vinicius Junior’s opening goal after 15 minutes.

The visitors have not beaten Betis at the Benito Villamarin since 28 August 2021, when Dani Carvajal’s goal earned Real Madrid a 1-0 victory. Since then, the Andalusian side’s home ground has hosted three draws and one Betis win in this fixture.

That record adds another layer of intrigue to Mourinho’s return. La Cartuja remains the place where his European breakthrough began, but Friday’s meeting will be shaped by the contrasting recent fortunes of two clubs with very different histories at the Seville venue.