´Conte and Mourinho are superstars in the dugout´ – Napoli assistant Oriali ahead of Benfica clash

Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho will meet in a colossal Champions League meeting between two “superstars of the dugout” when Napoli visit Benfica on Wednesday.

That praise for the managerial pair was shared by Conte’s assistant coach Gabriele Oriali, who is no stranger to Mourinho, having worked alongside him during Inter’s treble-winning season in 2010.

This will be the eighth meeting between Mourinho and Conte as opposing managers, and the first since the 2018 FA Cup final when Conte’s Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0.

Conte has won four of the previous seven, with two wins for Mourinho (D1), and Oriali cannot wait for a clash between two great heavyweights of European football.

“We are talking about superstars of the dugout. Coaches [Conte and Mourinho] who shape their teams so deeply that they capture the players’ souls,” Oriali said.

“For Mourinho and Conte, the players would walk through fire and that’s not just a figure of speech.

“Their history tells it, and the testimony of those who they have coached. Inside these coaches, there are strong human values.”

Napoli have won three of their four European matches against Benfica, including both to take place in the Champions League in the 2016-17 group stage.

But Oriali expects a different task against Mourinho, who picked up his first Champions League win for the club last time out with a 2-0 victory against Ajax.

“Some matches aren’t like the others,” he added. “I would never want to play against [his previous] Inter, and any game against a Mourinho side always leaves something behind.”

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Mourinho may have already started his mind games for this one, suggesting Napoli’s injury issues are by no means a concern, given the strength of their squad in comparison to his Benfica.

Conte is missing injured Belgian pair Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, plus Billy Gilmour, Stanislav Lobotka, Frank Anguissa, Miguel Gutierrez and goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Benfica will still be without Alexander Bah, Bruma and Dodi Lukebakio on Wednesday, but Mourinho should have everyone else available.

“Not having De Bruyne or having [Scott] McTominay is the same for us,” he said, drawing a comparison to illustrate squad depth rather than individuals.

“Napoli’s bench is different, if you look at who plays, you forget who is missing. By changing their system, they have become a better team.

“I have heavy absences, but I don’t want to cry.”