Coach Roger Schmidt made it clear this Monday that Benfica does not fear Inter Milan, its rival in the second round of the Champions League in football, and considered that the Portuguese champion plays enough football to win in Italy.
Despite their bitter debut in Group D of the Champions League, with a home defeat against Austrian Salzburg (2-0), the ‘eagles’ arrive in Milan motivated by their victory against FC Porto (1-0 ) in the championship. However, on Tuesday they will face the finalists who were defeated in the last edition of the tournament and who eliminated, precisely, the ‘reds’ in the quarterfinals.
“We are not afraid of Inter, we always respect our rival. Fear, never. Inter is where it finished last season. It was very close to winning the Champions League, it is at the top of the championship, it has not done so” . They lost key players and they have the same coach,” the Reds coach began by saying in the press conference prior to Tuesday’s game.
To surpass Inter, in the sixth clash between the two teams in European competition, Benfica, which is still looking for its first victory against the Nerazzurri, registering two draws and three defeats in the five games played, must play its “best football and be prepared for everything,” says Schmidt.
“We play successful football and, of course, it is possible to beat Inter. In the Champions League last season it was also very complicated here and in the end it ended in a three-goal draw. We believe a lot in ourselves and we are ready” , he pointed out.
Although he recognizes that the scenario to reach the round of 16 of the competition is now more complicated, given the defeat in Luz against the Austrians, Schmidt is only focused on scoring points against the Serie A leader.
“There are only six games left to make a difference and the situation is more difficult, but tomorrow is not decisive [terça-feira]. All matches are decisive in the group stage and the next opportunity is here [em Itália]. It’s difficult, yes, and it would be fantastic to win. One point might be fine,” she concluded.
For his part, the Argentine Ángel Di María advanced the duel with the Nerazzurri, warning of the difficulties of playing at San Siro, where the Reds will not be able to count on the support of their fans, due to a sanction imposed by UEFA.
“It’s going to be a very difficult match, against players who have a lot of quality. The atmosphere here in Milan helps Inter a lot and we have to be 100% to get a good result,” he stated.
Later, he talked about the great moment he is going through (six goals and one assist), in his second stage at the Lisbon club.
“You can’t always be decisive, but I’m very happy to be able to help the club and do important things. I’m very happy to have returned, I feel at home, I’m having a good time and that’s important to help the team and to Benfica to win titles,” he concluded.
On Tuesday, Benfica and Inter Milan will face each other at the San Siro stadium, in Italy, starting at 8 p.m., in a match on the second day of Group D, which will be coached by the Dutchman Danny Makkelie.
Source: TSF
