Álvaro Arbeloa’s team have concerns as they look ahead to the knockout stages, while Jamie Carragher has concerns about the draw
It was billed by broadcasters as “Matchday Mayhem”. Finally, after 17 of the 18 final day matches had finished, came a chaotic denouement. Not even José Mourinho’s long Champions League heritage had included a moment like this, though his wild celebration was familiar. Benfica were beating Real Madrid 3-2, and Mourinho’s former club were already dropping out of the top eight. “I was told [the scoreline] is enough, so let’s close the door,” said Mourinho.
That wasn’t all though: Benfica needed another goal to save themselves, and their keeper, Anatoliy Trubin, was sent up for a corner with seconds of the match remaining. His headed goal from Fredrik Aursnes’s cross was a bullet, and the Estádio da Luz fell into raptures as Benfica grabbed a place in the knockout phase at the death. The eight-round, 36-team group stage had its moment of drama to breathe life into a format many have criticised. The best had been saved for last. Mourinho had also beaten Madrid for the first time in his career.
Within English football, there is not much triumphalism that five of the top eight – those who skip what has become known as the “punishment round” – are from the Premier League. Each of Arsenal, with their perfect record of eight wins from eight, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City are just glad to avoid an extra two matches, respite from the relentless schedule of what has been a bruising domestic season.
