Schjelderup to 'die standing': Mourinho on Benfica v Real Madrid | OneFootball

Benfica is in the playoff for access to the Champions League round of 16 after a historic victory against Real Madrid (4-2). In the aftermath of the match, José Mourinho attended the press conference, where he shared his impressions and analyses regarding the unforgettable match at Estádio da Luz. Check out everything the Special One said.

What did you feel when you saw Trubin head the ball and it went in? "I've won and lost games and ties in the last minute, but never with a goalkeeper scoring a goal that the best attackers would love to score. I thought I had been through everything. The moment I made the substitution of António and Ivanovic was to close the door. But then there must have been a goal somewhere, and it wasn't enough. Even Trubin himself didn't quite understand what was happening. When there's a lateral foul, we have to go all in. Either we kill or we die standing. The big guy scores a fantastic goal, and for Benfica, it's a fantastic night. I already know the incredible luck we had drawing Real Madrid or Inter, but I'm super happy for the players. They played an extraordinary game. I don't want to believe that tomorrow there won't be respect for them. If there isn't, it's because things have crossed an indescribable barrier".

What did you say to Arbeloa? "I apologized for the way I celebrated. He is a football man and knows that at that moment we forget everything".

At the end, I saw all the players go to the field... what do you gain with this victory? "The team is the same. Since I started working with them, the team is the same, it's united, it's people who want to work, who suffer with negative results, who don't give up, it's people who go to the end. I recall that by the fifth matchday we had 0 points and still had to play against Napoli, Real, and Juventus, and they went to the end. They did what I asked: either we kill or we die. If I had lost today, I would have died standing. We gained the possibility of another important night at Luz, against a European giant. Economically it has no impact, but prestige does. I would like the players to have gained a bit of respect, just a bit".

Level of Real Madrid... Do you think they can compete like this until the end? "I saw a great Benfica. I understand that you in Madrid analyze Real, but my focus is on Benfica and my players. We played an incredible game. I told the players that these players kill, and Mbappé killed us. We played very well against Leverkusen and lost. We played well against Napoli and won. Today was the best game".

Did Schjelderup ensure continuity? Is this victory also a response from you? "I am not important. There are things that no matter how much you try, there are things that don't erase. My career has no solution. No matter how much they want to erase it, it doesn't erase. I'm talking about Benfica. They are not the best players in the world, but they are not the worst either. Schjelderup? People talk, talk, but in the last 4 games he played all. I believe this Schjelderup is better than the one I found. He does things he didn't do. Not everyone can play. There are players who have a limit, but this is a kid who has a path to follow. One thing is being for sale, another is having offers. If his goal is to go to the World Cup, it's with these games that he will go to the World Cup. It's not by going to a weaker league. But I'm very happy with everyone".

Now Inter or Real Madrid. I think you've never been at the Bernabéu since you left there... if so, what will the feeling be like? "Real and Inter are among the most important candidates to win the competition. We are not, but we compete. We lost to Chelsea, but we compete. We lost to Juventus, but we compete. We beat Real by playing a great game. In two games, it's more difficult, but football is football. We are building a team. Individually we have no possibilities, but we are building a team. We'll see. Continue doing what we are doing, winning games. In the championship, if those ahead don't lose, we can't do anything. In the next round, there are Rafa and Lopes Cabral. There are two more options. When I was about to go to the Bernabéu for the first time, Benfica called me. Now I can go as an opponent".

Strategy: "We have no reference. We defend zonally. When Sudakov jumps to press, the wingers have to close inside. When the ball circulates on one side, the winger on the opposite side has to close the interior space. That's how we are working".

What does this victory mean to you? "I'm thinking more about the players. Obviously, beating Real and being in the knockout stages is prestigious, but I'm at a stage where I think less about myself and more about the players and the club. I'm not looking to do something I've never done. Just enjoy. These people playing a knockout against Inter or Real, some have done it before, but it's a fantastic opportunity".

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.