Benfica saves Manchester City: Pep Guardiola reveals the locker room drama

Benfica saves City: Guardiola recounts the panic

Europe 29 January 2026 at 07:45

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI

News Editor

Benfica saves Manchester City: Pep Guardiola reveals the locker room drama

28.01.26 FT Champions League

Benfica

Real Madrid

The utterly unpredictable ending to the clash between Benfica and Real Madrid extended far beyond the pitch in Lisbon. From afar, Manchester City experienced those final moments with intense suspense, as the outcome of this match directly impacted the final top 8 standings of the league phase.

Speaking to the media after his team’s qualification, Pep Guardiola admitted that the scene sparked genuine panic in the locker room.

"The guys in the locker room were literally shouting at the TV: 'Where are you going?!' when they saw the goalkeeper leave his goal," the Catalan manager recounted, amused yet clear-eyed.

The City coach then reflected on the risk his team faced:

"Real could easily have scored on the counter, and then we would have dropped out of the top 8. Everyone was stunned by that decision, but in the end, Trubin scored!"

This improbable goal by Anatoliy Trubin ultimately froze the standings, allowing City to snatch the eighth spot while Real had to settle for ninth place.

🚨🗣️ Pep Guardiola: "Real Madrid could have scored a goal, and we would have been out of the top 8."

"The guys were in the locker room shouting: 'Where are you going?' when the goalkeeper came out of his goal, but then he scored." pic.twitter.com/8YZFm6O6cI
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) January 29, 2026