Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised what he described as a daring and decisive tactical move by Benfica head coach José Mourinho following the Portuguese side’s dramatic 4–2 UEFA Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Benfica sealed the final playoff spot on Wednesday night after a pulsating encounter against the Spanish giants, but it was Mourinho’s late-game decision that dominated post-match discussion across Europe.
With Benfica leading 3–2 in the closing minutes, the Portuguese side earned a crucial free kick. In a move that stunned players and spectators alike, Mourinho instructed goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to push forward and join the attack. The gamble paid off spectacularly, as Trubin found the net to make it 4–2 and put the tie beyond Real Madrid’s reach.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola admitted he and others were initially baffled by the decision. According to him, the Manchester City dressing room was unsure why Benfica had taken such a risk at that stage of the game.
“Yeah, of course. We were all there [in the dressing room]. We did not know that Benfica needed a goal to qualify,” Guardiola said, speaking via HaytersTV.
“With the goalkeeper, we said, ‘Why do you go? Stay in the goal because Madrid can equalise!’ After that, we are out. But it was a good strategy for Jose [Mourinho], right? To score the fourth goal.”
The win capped a memorable European night for Benfica and underlined the high-stakes drama that continues to define this season’s Champions League.
