Jose Mourinho, and his teams, were always at their best when snarling and snapping. Here, he and Benfica were just too nice.
The Especially Kind One arrived on Tyneside and spoke so warmly of Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, St James' Park and Sir Bobby Robson, the man who stoked his affection.
Mourinho revealed that he spoke to Robson's bronze bust as entered the stadium on the eve of the game. That likeness of the former Newcastle boss might well have whispered 'thank you' as his former Barcelona assistant left the ground on Tuesday night.