The Champions League delivered a moment of pure, breathtaking drama. Jose Mourinho, witnessing from the sideline, saw his Benfica side snatch a lifeline in the competition with a goal that will be replayed for years to come.
It arrived in the 98th minute, a stunning strike from an unlikely source: Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The stadium erupted as the ball hit the back of the net, securing a crucial result and extending Benfica’s European journey.
Mourinho, ever the pragmatist, spoke of his team’s unwavering spirit. He emphasized their resilience, recalling a point when they faced a daunting schedule against Napoli, Real Madrid, and Juventus with zero points, yet refused to surrender.
“They did what I asked: kill or be killed,” Mourinho declared, revealing the intensity of his demands. He confessed that defeat would have been unbearable, a professional death, but the victory offered another electrifying night at the Luz Stadium against a European powerhouse.
He revealed a premonition regarding Trubin’s goal-scoring ability. Mourinho recounted a recent match where the goalkeeper nearly found the net in the dying moments, hinting at the potential for this extraordinary moment.
The quality of the delivery was key, Mourinho acknowledged, but the goal itself was a testament to Trubin’s capabilities. It was a gamble that paid off spectacularly, fueled by a desperate need for a result.
Facing a precarious situation, Mourinho made bold tactical changes. He sent veteran defender Nico Otamendi forward when Benfica went down to ten men, a desperate attempt to find an equalizer.
Then, as a free kick was awarded, Mourinho instructed Trubin to join the attack, leaving another player to cover midfield. It was a calculated risk, a final throw of the dice that resulted in a historic night for Benfica.
Now, Benfica and Real Madrid await their fate in the play-offs, with the possibility of a rematch looming large. The draw on Friday will determine their next opponents, setting the stage for another chapter in this captivating European saga.
The potential matchups are compelling: Benfica or Bodo/Glimt against either Inter Milan or Real Madrid. The winners of those ties will then face Manchester City or Sporting in the last 16, promising a thrilling continuation of the Champions League drama.
