Mourinho expresses uncertainty prior to Benfica goalkeeper’s goal against Madrid.
José Mourinho praised his Benfica squad following a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid that secured their place in the Champions League, while acknowledging that uncertainty regarding the necessary goal difference for advancement nearly led to their elimination.
Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s dramatic header in the 98th minute provided Benfica with a goal difference of minus two, which was just sufficient for them to qualify for the knockout phase playoffs in 24th position, accumulating nine points, as Madrid failed to secure a spot in the top eight.
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Benfica will now compete against either Madrid again or Inter Milan—two of Mourinho’s previous clubs—for a chance to reach the last 16, with the draw scheduled for Friday.
“I believe we earned it, we truly earned it,” Mourinho stated to Movistar. “Kylian [Mbappé] had two opportunities and converted both. For Benfica, it is immensely prestigious to defeat Real Madrid. It’s remarkable.”
Mourinho’s Benfica have faced challenges this season and currently sit third in the Portuguese league, having lost their initial four Champions League matches before ultimately securing a place in the playoffs.
The experienced coach acknowledged that as Wednesday’s match approached its conclusion, he and his team thought a 3-2 score would suffice for progression, only to be informed that they required an additional goal.
“When I made the final substitutions, [Franjo] Ivanovic and [Antonio] Silva, I was informed that [the scoreline] was adequate, so we should tighten our defense,” Mourinho explained to Paramount+.
“A few moments later, they informed me we needed one more goal, but I could not make further changes. That was the fortunate moment, to earn the free kick, allowing us to send the big guy [Trubin] forward.”
Ivanovic and Silva were brought on in the 93rd minute, just before Trubin’s last-minute goal five minutes later.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper expressed similar uncertainty prior to his pivotal contribution.
“I was unaware of what we needed,” he remarked. “Then I noticed everyone signaling for me to move up. I also saw our coach, so I advanced, entered the box, and I don’t know … I don’t know what to say.
“It was a crazy moment. I don’t know what to say. I’m not accustomed to scoring. I’m 24 years old, and this is the first time. Incredible.”
The playoff draw will occur in Nyon, Switzerland, at noon local time.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
