Real Madrid's Late Heroics Secure Victory Against AEK Athens in Champions League

Mourinho Praises Team's Resilience

Athens, Greece - On November 5, following a thrilling UEFA Champions League match, Real Madrid's manager, Jose Mourinho, commended his team's ability to maintain composure in the closing moments. He remarked that few teams can clinch victories in the dying minutes like his squad does, and noted that other coaches view his team's depth with 'positive envy.'

The 15-time champions, Real Madrid, secured a crucial 3-2 victory over AEK Athens FC, with Federico Valverde scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner, propelling them to second place in the Champions League standings.

Mourinho expressed his thoughts post-match, stating, 'These matches that are decided in the final minutes... no one can win them this way except us. We have what it takes to do it.'

He also praised Jude Bellingham, who contributed to the scoreline, highlighting that 'there is no midfielder in the world who has this amount of completeness at every level' as he does.

'Since my arrival, he has been producing good levels. He is a unique player, and there is no midfielder in the world who possesses this amount of completeness at every level. He has the work rate, the leadership, the ambition, the quality, and the ability to arrive in the box and score. He is an exceptional player,' Mourinho added.

Despite the team's success, some players, including Brazil's Endrick, are struggling for playing time. Mourinho acknowledged that he has numerous options available, which elicits 'positive envy' from other managers when they observe his bench.

'There are many managers who look at my team’s bench with positive envy, so when I face a problem and look at the bench, I find many options in front of me. We have a group that enjoys great quality, and as long as the players work only for the team, and set aside personal considerations, this group will be extremely strong,' he concluded.

In the match, AEK Athens took an early lead with Aboubakary Koita scoring in the 12th minute, assisted by Luka Jovic. Although Jude Bellingham initially had a goal ruled out for offside, he quickly redeemed himself with a brilliant backheel goal in the 32nd minute.

Koita was involved again in the 75th minute, assisting Stavro Pilo to put the home side ahead. However, Kylian Mbappe equalized for Madrid shortly after, scoring in the 78th minute from a cross by Denzel Dumfries.

As the match neared its end, Federico Valverde delivered a stunning strike that found the top corner, sealing the 3-2 victory for Real Madrid.