Three games, three defeats and zero goals. This is the scenario that Benfica must change this afternoon, in San Sebastián, against Real Sociedade, in the 4th round of group D of the Champions League. Coach Roger Schmidt is in no doubt when he says that “it is crucial to win this match” as the Reds are now fighting for survival in the UEFA competitions – to at least get a ticket to the Europa League – but also to prevent another defeat. negative record in the Champions League, which was set in 2017–18 when Rui Vitória coached the team and finished the group stage with zero points and 1–14 in goal difference. In fact, if Benfica does not score points this edition of the Champions League, they will equal Dinamo Zagreb as the only team not to score in two editions (2011/2012 and 2016/2017).
After losing 1-0 at Luz two weeks ago, Roger Schmidt admitted yesterday that Real Sociedade is “a strong opponent”, which has “grown a lot in recent years”, but still believes that if his team “capable of winning” when he plays at a high level. Therefore, he left a warning: “We must concentrate on the game and start winning, otherwise the European competitions will be over for us.”
Regarding the match in Lisbon, Benfica now has a different tactical system, with a 3x4x3, something that the Benfica coach believes has improved the team’s performance. “In the last three games we showed a different face and gained more confidence by winning the last two,” he said, explaining that the new system was a way to balance the team. “In the last few games we have not given many chances to our opponents, something that was our matrix last year, but we have lost that this season. Now we also need to improve our attacking aspect. We have created a lot of chances and that is missing us now and if we don’t score, we don’t win,” he stressed.
When asked whether this is a decisive week for Benfica, as in addition to Sunday’s match against Real Sociedad against Sporting, Roger Schmidt assumes that “it is crucial to win” in Spain and that “by winning the derby Benfica the leader will be “However, he recalled that” there will be other important weeks later “.
One of the players who has taken over the role of starter in recent games is Gonçalo Guedes, who the German coach says “needs minutes to improve” because he was injured for a long time: “When he is at his best, “He’s a top player at Benfica. Let’s give them minutes, but without overloading them.”
João Mário, in turn, describes Real Sociedad as a team with “a very clear game idea” and that Benfica was “very tolerant” in the Luz match. When asked whether the team still believes in qualifying for the round of 16, the midfielder said that “as long as it is possible” everyone will believe in it.
It should be noted that Real Sociedad can guarantee qualification if they beat Benfica, but coach Imanol Alguacil tried to devalue this problem: “It will be a great evening, whatever happens, because to get seven points in a group in which there are Benfica and Inter. ..We have started well, we want everyone to leave the Arena enthusiastic.” The Spanish coach also said he was aware that this was “a life-or-death match for Benfica”, so he expected a “very different” game.
Source: DN
