Mourinho's Expletive Reaction to Real Madrid Star After Benfica Keeper's Stunning Goal
Jose Mourinho delivered a perfectly explicit summary of a dramatic Champions League encounter after his Benfica side secured a remarkable 4-2 victory over Real Madrid, thanks to a jaw-dropping goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
A Goalkeeper's Decisive Intervention
The Portuguese giants needed a final goal to avoid an early exit from the competition, despite leading 3-2 late in the match at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. With Marseille clinging on elsewhere, the tension was palpable for the home supporters.
In the dying moments, Fredrik Aursnes delivered a precise free-kick into the penalty area. Rising to meet it was an unlikely hero: Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, who powered a header past the experienced Thibaut Courtois to send the stadium into absolute euphoria.
Mourinho's Tunnel Exchange with Huijsen
On the losing side was Dutch centre-back Dean Huijsen, a former player of Mourinho's at Roma with whom the manager and his family share a close personal relationship. Approaching Huijsen in the tunnel after the final whistle, Mourinho captured the essence of the match with a blunt, four-word assessment.
"F****** hell," was the Portuguese coach's succinct verdict to the disappointed defender.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mourinho elaborated on the encounter. "Dean, he was my player in Roma, he's friends with my kids, the families, they know each other well so I have a good relationship with Dean," he explained.
"Just speaking about the game and of course the kid is disappointed, but I was telling him, you are lucky to lose only 4-2 because it could have been more."
Celebration and Confidence in Trubin
The victory, while not enough to secure automatic qualification for the knockout stages, did guarantee Benfica a place in the Champions League play-offs. Mourinho celebrated the extraordinary goal by embracing a ballboy on the touchline, sharing in the collective joy of the moment.
Reflecting on Trubin's unprecedented contribution, Mourinho expressed both surprise and prior belief in his goalkeeper's capabilities. "For me, everything is deja vu, but this one, it's the first time," the self-styled 'Special One' admitted.
"We knew he could do it, we knew. We were losing in Porto 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."
Mourinho was quick to praise the quality of the delivery, but emphasised the significance of the finish. "The quality of the delivery is the most important thing, you have to put the ball in the right area but it's an amazing goal for the guy."
Consequences for Both Sides
The result had significant ramifications for Real Madrid under their new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, dropping them into the play-off round. This sets up the intriguing possibility that the two European giants could meet again for a place in the last sixteen of the competition.
For Benfica and Mourinho, the dramatic victory provided a vital lifeline in their Champions League campaign, capped by a moment of sheer, unforgettable brilliance from an unexpected source.
