Jose Mourinho, former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, has fired back at critics following Benfica’s thrilling 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage. Speaking to reporters after the match, Mourinho jokingly expressed concern for critics who doubted his team’s performance, saying he hoped they were not “jumping off balconies” after witnessing Benfica’s triumph.

The match saw Real Madrid take the lead through Kylian Mbappe in the 30th minute, but Benfica responded with goals from Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis to take a 3-1 lead. Mbappe scored again to reduce the deficit, while red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo further complicated matters for the Spanish side.

In the dying moments of the game, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a last-minute header from a free-kick, securing the crucial fourth goal in the 98th minute and confirming the team’s place in the Champions League knockout play-offs. The win was particularly significant for Mourinho, who has faced pressure due to Benfica lagging behind Porto in the Primeira Liga.

Mourinho emphasized the need for respect from critics, stating, “The only thing I want is a little respect. Benfica will lose, and they’ll have another chance to beat us. The only thing I need is respect. The team is the same.” His comments reflect his confidence in Benfica despite external pressure.