A chaotic Bernabeu return awaits Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has not set foot in the Santiago Bernabeu since leaving Real Madrid in 2013, but his Champions League homecoming with Benfica on Wednesday has become far more complicated than initially anticipated.

Mourinho will not be allowed to sit in the dugout for the play-off second leg after being sent off during his team's 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Lisbon last week.

The 63-year-old also faced criticism for controversial remarks following alleged racial abuse directed at Madrid star Vinicius Junior by Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni.

The Argentine will miss the second leg after UEFA provisionally suspended him for one match while an investigation into the incident continues.

All of it sets the stage for what is expected to be a charged reception at the Bernabeu. With tensions still high following the alleged abuse of Vinicius, Benfica are likely to encounter a hostile environment, and Mourinho -- despite his past success at the club -- may not be spared either. The Portuguese coach remains a divisive figure among sections of the Madrid support, and the events surrounding the first leg have only intensified scrutiny ahead of his return.

Mourinho, who won a LaLiga title with Los Blancos during his three-year tenure, left a significant mark on the Spanish giants during a period of intense rivalry with Barcelona and a dressing room split between supporters and detractors.

Madrid president Florentino Perez is known to admire the Portuguese coach, and speculation persists that Mourinho could return next season to replace Alvaro Arbeloa if the current campaign ends poorly. However, the atmosphere surrounding this tie -- and the manner in which it unfolds – may inevitably influence how such discussions are viewed.

Arbeloa -- one of Mourinho's disciples during his time in charge of the 15-time European champions -- faces his biggest test yet since replacing Xabi Alonso in January, as Benfica travel to the Spanish capital.

Mourinho was dismissed in the first leg for vociferous complaints from the touchline, but he insists preparations for the high-intensity return leg are in place.

"I (won't be) sitting on the bench, I can't go to the dressing room, I can't communicate with the team," he said. "It's hard for me, but my teammates and my assistants are there -- they'll do their job."

The first leg was overshadowed by Prestianni's alleged racial slur aimed at Vinicius.

UEFA’s decision to suspend the Benfica midfielder for one game has eased some of the tension ahead of the return fixture, although he could face a ban of at least 10 matches if European football’s governing body finds him guilty of racial abuse.

Vinicius received support from teammates, including Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold. However, Mourinho described Vinicius’ goal celebration as disrespectful and questioned why such incidents continue to occur around the Brazilian.

Prestianni has denied racially abusing Vinicius, but with the controversy still unfolding, the second leg will inevitably be played under its shadow as Madrid aim to avoid a humiliating early exit and secure their place in the last 16.