For Vítor Vinha, the tournament is about far more than just the result. As head coach of Benfica Under 23, he sees the matches above all as a chance to test his players, to keep raising the bar and to prepare them for what lies ahead.
The level of the tournament convinced him from the start. Strong teams, talented players and different footballing philosophies mean that Benfica are constantly being challenged. That is exactly what Vinha is looking for.
"It's very good for us to play against teams and players of this level. It allows our players to see where they stand, to discover what they need to improve and to experience for themselves what they still have to work on."
That makes the tournament an important part of the preparation for the new season, especially with the UEFA Youth League matches on Benfica's schedule. Every match offers new opportunities to take steps forward, both as a team and as individuals.
A different mentality
The most important lesson so far, according to Vinha, may well have nothing to do with the result. The difference in mentality between the first two matchdays struck him immediately.
In the opening match he saw his side play too cautiously. Instead of taking the initiative themselves, Benfica let the opponent dictate how the game unfolded.
"Yesterday we were a little afraid of the match, a little afraid to play. We waited too much. We didn't push forward enough and were basically playing the opponent's game."
The response in the following matches left him considerably more satisfied. Benfica played stronger, faster and above all with more conviction. The players committed to more duels and took on more responsibility.
For Vinha, that development matters more than the result.
"Of course we're Benfica. We have to want to win every match, whoever the opponent is. But we also have to work on our process, our mentality and our development as a team and as individuals."
And for the next match the message is clear: don't be satisfied with what has already been achieved.
"We don't want to rest on what we did against Monaco. We want more. The players have to want more: to work more, to run more, to move faster and to think faster."
According to Vinha, growth doesn't come in one big step, but in continuously raising the level. In every part of the game.
"If we improve every level and every aspect of our game, we'll naturally end up closer to winning than to losing."
More than just football
The tournament doesn't only offer the players a valuable experience. For Vinha himself it's also a chance to see other teams, players and coaches up close.
"As a coach I enjoy this enormously. I get to see different players and different teams and talk with other coaches. You see different ways of working."
That variety is valuable. A match against Chelsea, for example, asks something different of his players. When an opponent constantly changes structure and movement, players have to be able to adapt quickly.
"That's good for our players. They need to experience this kind of match at a high level, because we want to prepare them as well as possible for the season and for the Youth League."
The tournament's revised rules also contribute to that development, according to Vinha. They ensure that attention goes more to the game itself and less to everything happening around it.
Of course there are always debatable moments. Different referees have different ways of whistling and interpreting. But even that Vinha sees as a valuable experience.
"That too is good for us, because our players will come across these kinds of situations again in Youth League matches."
The future of football
For Vinha, it ultimately comes down to a bigger picture. He sees the tournament as a meeting place for the next generation of footballers. Players still active in the youth ranks today could easily grow into the faces of their first teams tomorrow.
"As head coach of Benfica, I'm incredibly happy that we're here. That we get to share the pitch with these wonderful coaches and players."
The quality he sees during the tournament gives him confidence in the future.
"I hope this is the future of football. I hope to see many of these players go on to play for their first team, and for the first teams of their clubs."
With that, he touches on the heart of what the tournament means to him. It's about developing the players who will ultimately shape the football of the future.
For Benfica, then, the ambition is clear: to keep growing, to raise the standards and to challenge players to think faster, work harder and become better footballers.
Results matter, certainly at a club like Benfica, but for Vinha the real gain lies in the process.