Coach Roger Schmidt stated this Monday that the move to champions league knockout stage football still It depends only on Benficathat will give “everything for everything” to beat the Spanish Real Sociedad.
“[Este jogo] It is not a final decision. We have great ambitions and we want to stay in the Champions League. Last season we worked hard to qualify and this year we want to remain in the top club competition. “We will give everything we have to win the game and change the dynamics of this group,” said the coach.
In a press conference prior to the duel on the third day of Group D of the ‘millionaire’ race, Roger Schmidt did not reveal whether Bah and Di Maria -absent in the last games due to injury- could be starters, although they trained without limits.
“We will see with the medical team how we manage this situation. We do not want to take any risks, but, on the other hand, this is a very important game. We have to continue working to have the opportunity to have them.” , whether at the start or on the bench. We have to make sure the players are okay,” he stated, not wanting to “open the game too much.”
The ‘incarnates’ still did not score any pointsafter the defeats against Salzburg (2-0) – in which Benfica had “very bad luck” – and Inter Milan (1-0) – where the second half “was not the best, but a defeat in Milan” It’s not necessarily a problem”.
“It was not the ideal start. There are only four games left and, if we want to reach the round of 16, we will have to change this dynamic. That will be the goal tomorrow.” [terça-feira] to 100%. We have the support of the fans and our unity and quality,” he highlighted.
Roger Schmidt also highlighted that the most important games of a season”They are against FC Porto”, despite the importance he attributes to this match against Real Sociedad, a team to which he left several praises, but maintaining confidence in victory ’embody’.
“They have a very clear approach in attack and are very good in transitions. When they win balls, they have players who are available for the counterattack. I see a very good team and I know that we will have to play the best we can. They are in a good moment of form, they had an excellent season last season and are one of the best teams in Spain. “It’s a very balanced team,” the German coach analyzed about his rival.
The Portuguese international antonio silva was also present in the auditorium of the Benfica Campus, in Seixal, where asked the twelfth player for “very important” helpthe fans, reinforcing the idea that the move to the ‘eighth’ is still a reality.
“It’s the pressure of playing for Benfica. This is a huge club, but we are used to the world of football. I’m still very new to these trips, but I know the demands of my club. It’s a game that you have to win and give your all. “said the young central defender.
TO defensive performance of the ‘eagles’ has been lower than last season, but António Silva guaranteed that it is an aspect that They have been working on training reverse.
“If we look at last year we conceded many fewer goals. It is something very collective, we know that we still have a lot to improve. It is an aspect that we worked on during the week and we hope to reverse this situation,” highlighted the player, who missed the second division duel. round due to suspension, after being sent off in his debut, in the first minutes.
Benfica national champion, last classified in Group Deven without points, will receive the Spanish from Real societywho leads, with four, in Stadium of Lightin Lisbon, in a third round match, refereed by Frenchman Clément Turpin.
Source: TSF
