José Mourinho expressed his apologies to Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa for his enthusiastic celebrations following Benfica‘s thrilling 4-2 Champions League victory on Wednesday.
A dramatic 98th-minute header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin at the Estadio da Luz secured Benfica’s qualification for the knockout phase playoffs by a narrow margin.
This last-minute goal ignited wild celebrations in Lisbon, prompting Mourinho’s coaching staff and substitutes to rush onto the pitch, with the former Madrid manager cheering and gesticulating toward the crowd, right in front of Arbeloa, his former player and friend.
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“I apologize for my celebrations,” Mourinho stated during his post-match news conference.
“But Álvaro is a professional, and he completely understands that in those moments, you lose sight of the fact that it’s Real Madrid, and that’s Arbeloa on the bench, along with [Madrid delegate] Chendo and everyone else; you forget everything. I’ve apologized.”
Mourinho managed Arbeloa during his tenure at the Bernabéu from 2010 to 2013, with the defender serving as one of his key on-field leaders.
“It was a privilege and an honor to be coached by José Mourinho,” Arbeloa said upon his appointment as Madrid’s coach. “He had a significant influence on me… If I attempt to emulate José Mourinho, I’ll end up failing spectacularly.”
Benfica’s European campaign this season got off to a rocky start with four consecutive defeats, putting Mourinho under pressure as his team falls behind rivals Porto and Sporting in the Portuguese league.
“I’m in a phase where I focus less on myself and more on the players and the club,” Mourinho remarked on Wednesday.