Guardiola says City panicked over Mourinho strategy

• City players watched Benfica v Real Madrid late drama in the dressing room with their top-eight place at risk
• Guardiola said they were worried when Benfica sent goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin forward under Jose Mourinho
• City beat Galatasaray 2-0, but Jérémy Doku went off injured

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City were panicking as they watched the closing minutes of Benfica’s win over Real Madrid, fearing a late equaliser would push City out of the Champions League top eight.

A late Real Madrid goal in Lisbon would have made it 3-3 and dropped City out of the automatic qualification spots, but Benfica held on and then scored again in stoppage time. With Benfica leading 3-2 in the 98th minute, coach Jose Mourinho sent goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin into the penalty area and the Ukraine international headed in a fourth to seal a 4-2 win. Benfica booked a place in the playoff on goal difference, while City finished eighth in the league table and avoided a two-legged playoff in February.

Guardiola said the City squad did not realise Benfica needed another goal to qualify, which made Trubin’s run forward even more nerve-racking.

“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,” said Guardiola.

“But it was a good strategy for Jose to score the fourth goal, right!”

Asked if he would message Mourinho, Guardiola replied: “Yeah, of course.”

City also did their part on the night, beating Galatasaray 2 0 with goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki. The main concern was an injury to Jérémy Doku, who assisted both goals before leaving with a calf issue.

“The first half was better than the second half,” said Guardiola.

“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 don’t play in the playoff stage and hopefully we can arrive in March [for the last 16] at our best.”