JOSE MOURINHO has admitted he initially tried to defend Benfica’s 3-2 lead against Real Madrid – before realising his side needed another goal to reach the Champions League last-16.
Mourinho’s ended up sealing a dramatic 4-2 win over his old club Madrid as goalkeeper .
Jose Mourinho has revealed he made an accidental tactical tweak before Benfica’s incredible 4-2 win over Real MadridCredit: AP
He initially tried to defend their 3-2 lead before keeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic winnerCredit: Reuters
Madrid had been down to nine men by the end of the game as Raul Asensio and were sent off in stoppage time amid chaotic scenes.
It meant Benfica went straight through to the knockouts, while Madrid will be forced into a play-off tie.
The side twice took the lead through before the hosts hit back thanks to a brace from Andreas Schjelderup.
‘ penalty on the stroke of half time then put Benfica ahead before Mourinho attempted to hold onto their lead.
As the game went into stoppage time, he took off two forwards in Gianluca Prestianni and Pavlidis for centre-back Antonio Silva and forward Franjo Ivanovic.
But when he realised his side actually needed to win the game 4-2, he was forced to play up front.
He then sent keeper Trubin up the pitch for one last roll of the dice following a late free kick and the rest is history.
Mourinho said: “When I substituted António Silva and Ivanovic, I had no idea if 3-2 was enough. I just want to close the door and I think it’s enough.
Mourinho said he would have been happy either way after urging his side to win the gameCredit: AP
“When I was told we needed one more goal, honestly I was upset. I was thinking, ‘Why was I not told a few seconds before?’
“When we realised it wasn’t enough and they were down to ten men, I sent Nico [Otamendi] to play up front.
“When the foul came, I sent Trubin forward and Dahl to stay in midfield. The little guy stayed back here.
“We kept the pride because that was my challenge to the players before the game: ‘If we don’t qualify, we have to win – if we don’t qualify, we don’t qualify, but we have to win.’
“That was the pride behind the attitude. I would be happy the same, winning the way we did against and being out. I would be happy the same.”
While it might have been Trubin’s first ever goal in football, Mourinho insisted he felt the keeper was capable of such heroics.
He added: “We knew that he could do it, we knew that he could do it,” he insisted.
“We were losing in a couple of weeks ago and in the last minute he went there and almost scored. So we know the big guy is capable of this.
“The quality of the service is, of course, the most important thing, you have to put the ball there, but it’s an amazing goal for the guy.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
