Reunion after Roma: Mourinho reveals what he told Huijsen about Benfica victory

José Mourinho reveals he told his ex-Roma player Dean Huijsen that Real Madrid had been ‘lucky’ to only lose 4-2 against Benfica: ‘It could be more.’

Mourinho and Huijsen reunited on Wednesday night for Benfica’s 4-2 Champions League victory over Real Madrid.

The Portuguese side needed a goal in the final minutes to improve their goal difference and qualify for the knock-out play-off, and dramatically, it was goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin who scored in the dying moments with a desperate effort from a free-kick routine.

Mourinho was spotted talking to Huijsen inside the tunnel after the break and during his post-match interview with TNT Sports (via Metro) he revealed: “Dean was my player at Roma, he’s friends with my kids and the families know each other well, so I have a good relationship with him,’ Mourinho said of his reunion with Huijsen.

“We were just speaking about the game and, of course, the kid is disappointed. But I was telling him, ‘You were lucky! You were lucky to lose only 4-2’, because it could be more.’”

Mourinho brought Huijsen to Roma on loan from Juventus in January 2024, but the Spain international only made three appearances under the Portuguese coach, who was sacked just a few weeks after Huijsen’s move to the Olimpico.

Mourinho could meet more familiar faces in the Champions League play-off as Inter will face either Benfica or Bodo/Glimt in the next round.