Benfica coach Roger Schmidt acknowledged that he expects difficulties on Sunday’s trip to Portimão, but wants to get the three points in the sixth round of the I Football League.
Despite the negative result at the debut of the Champions League group stage [0-2 com o Salzburgo]Schmidt has confidence in the team and plans to continue the victorious campaign of the ‘reds’ in the I Liga in Portimão.
“We were disappointed with the result, but not with the team’s performance in the Champions League match. We did well, despite the mistakes in the goals, which the opponent took advantage of. Our goal now is to beat Portimonense It is not easy to play there, they are in better shape and they won last week, but we are prepared to get the three points,” emphasized the German coach at the press conference previewing the match at the Benfica Campus hall in Seixal.
According to Roger Schmidt, António Silva has already recovered from the mistake that led to the young central defender’s expulsion from the match against the Austrians.
“He was disappointed. He is a very emotional player because he loves the club and the team. It is normal for him to be frustrated. He feels a bit responsible for what happened. He has to move on and continue his growth process. ” “, he said.
Ukrainian goalkeeper Trubin also did not have an easy evening on his debut for Benfica in the Champions League, but Schmidt dedramatizes and maintains confidence in the young goalkeeper.
“We are all under pressure at Benfica, because the pressure to win is very high. We have to play, we have to show ourselves, so I’m not afraid of him. He is a talented young goalkeeper, he has experience at international level with Shakhtar and the Ukrainian national team. It would have been easier for him if he had arrived in preparation. “He needs to continue his growth process, but I believe he has a strong mentality and will definitely overcome the difficulties,” he said.
Brazilian striker Arthur Cabral, signed from Fiorentina, was Schmidt’s first choice, but after the international break he is little used to it, but the German coach claims he has chosen the best for each match.
“He had some chances to prove himself and adapt to his colleagues and the team, but I have to make decisions based on the players’ physical shape and performance. We have three strikers. Petar Musa did very well in the Super Cup, he got a red card against Boavista, but he has evolved a lot since he joined Benfica, that’s why I decided to bet on him,” he explained.
According to Schmidt, “Right now Petar [Musa] He’s doing very well, he played very well on Wednesday.”
“It’s not easy to play in our tactical system, so we have to give Arthur time to adapt. He will definitely score a lot of goals for Benfica,” he admitted.
When asked about David Neres and the winger’s absence from the team, Schmidt says he always strives to “bring more balance” to the team.
“It’s clear that Rafa and Di Maria have done very well, not only scoring and providing assists, but also pressing when we don’t have the ball. We try to make the best decisions for the team, the players have to be patient , so this is the current situation,” he indicated.
Alexander Bah performed at an excellent level last season, but showed less physical brilliance at the start of the season. However, Schmidt is satisfied with the performance of the Danish right back.
“I think he is in good form. He made a mistake with the first goal, against Salzburg, but he made an effort to add depth in the corridor,” he said.
Benfica, placed fourth, with 12 points, travels to Portimonense, 13th, with five, in the match of the sixth round of the I Portuguese Football League, to be played on Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Stadium Municipal de Portimão, with arbitration by Hélder Malheiro , of the Lisbon Football Association.
Source: DN
