LISBON, Portugal: Jose Mourinho condemned his former employers to a ninth-place finish in the league phase as his Benfica side beat Real Madrid 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a stoppage-time header by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin keeping the Portuguese alive in the competition.
A third defeat of the campaign for Madrid, coupled with wins for Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City, meant Madrid missed out on the top eight and will have to play in the two-legged knockout play-off round.
“We knew where we were coming from, what we were coming into, how difficult it would be, and obviously it got the better of us,” new Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa told Movistar.
“I think we were far from the level we need to show. I’ve said it these past few days: we’ve got a lot to improve.”
Benfica, on the other hand, will not turn their noses up at the extra games after ‘keeper Trubin sensationally nodded in a 98th-minute goal to snatch the last qualification spot on goal difference.
For Mourinho, who coached Madrid between 2010 and 2013, it was a first victory at the second time of asking against his old club since departing them.
“I think it was deserved, really deserved… For Benfica, it’s an incredible prestige to beat Real Madrid,” Mourinho said.
Friday’s draw will reveal if Benfica face a rematch against Madrid or 10th-placed Inter Milan, with whom Mourinho won the competition in 2010.
“Madrid and Inter are teams who can win the Champions League, and we are a team who at most can do something incredible,” he said. – AFP
