"We were all there so we didn't know Benfica needed a goal to qualify so when the goalkeeper goes up, we say, "why you go?" because Madrid can equalise and we are out,"
"But it was a good strategy for Jose to score the fourth goal, right!"
"Really pleased to finish in the top eight considering how the Champions League has become. When I started 16 or 17 years ago, the Champions League was another type of competition. Today every team is really, really tough. I'm really pleased we do"
Manchester City players and staff watched the final minutes of Benfica's win over Real Madrid and panicked when goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin advanced into the attack because a Real equaliser would have eliminated City. Benfica boss Jose Mourinho urged Trubin into the penalty area in the 98th minute and Trubin headed a fourth to seal a 4-2 win and secure Benfica a playoff place on goal difference. The result left City eighth, meaning no two-legged Champions League playoff in February. City beat Galatasaray 2-0 through Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki, while Jérémy Doku suffered a calf injury. Finishing in the top eight prompted satisfaction given the increasing competitiveness of the Champions League.
Read at ESPN.com
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