Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his deep gratitude to Jose Mourinho for guiding Benfica to victory over Real Madrid, thus securing the English club’s direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16 without having to go through the playoffs.
City needed Real Madrid to lose in Portugal to finish in the top eight and avoid the playoffs, especially since Guardiola and his team’s first experience there hadn’t been the best, having lost both legs to Real Madrid in the previous year’s competition.
Benfica’s 3-2 victory was enough for City, but it was never enough for the Portuguese club. Therefore, the fourth goal, scored in the dying moments by the goalkeeper, was welcome news for both Guardiola and his long-time rival, Mourinho.
“We were all gathered together and we didn’t know that Benfica needed another goal to qualify, so when the goalkeeper came out with the score at 3-2, we were all surprised,” Guardiola said of the crazy scenario at the Estádio da Luz.
He added, “We all said in unison, ‘Stay put, Real Madrid might score the equalizer and we’ll be out,’ but in the end, it turned out to be a smart move by José (Mourinho).”
When asked if he thanked Mourinho for the victory against Real Madrid, he concluded, “Yes, of course, thank you, José!”
