The president of Benfica, Rui Costa, considered this Monday that it is a “good sign” to expect better performances from the red team, given that it occupies “first place” in the Portuguese First Football League.
“If we all know that [o Benfica] You can perform more, that’s a good sign. If you are in first place like this, if you deliver more you will be able to have more peace of mind,” declared the red technical leader, upon his arrival at Casino Estoril, to participate in the Champions Gala.
Rui Costa was, therefore, optimistic about Benfica’s results in the near future, especially in the national championship, but also recognized that the team’s campaign in the Champions League has been below expectations, taking into account that The current fourth and last position in Group D, with zero points won and no longer aspiring to the round of 16 of the competition, is an undesirable scenario and “completely deviates from the club’s objective.”
“The race did not go as we expected. After two years [consecutivos] Being present in the quarterfinals, we wanted a completely different result than being absent and having, at this point, four games played and four defeats. It completely deviates from the club’s objective and, at this moment, it is up to us to remain in UEFA [qualificação para a Liga Europa, via terceiro lugar no agrupamento]. We have to assume that it was a failure,” he stipulated.
Rui Costa refused to address any movements that may exist in the Benfica squad in January, also warning that there is still more than a month until the reopening of the transfer market.
“The market does not open until January and, therefore, until then nothing has been closed or anything signed,” said the Benfica president, who also referred to the recent statements of the Portuguese international Bernardo Silva, who plays in English Manchester City.
Given the desire of the Portuguese ‘creative’ to return in the future to the ‘red’ shield, where he completed his training and with which he is associated, Rui Costa pointed out that the realization of this hypothetical scenario is not in his hands. since it is not an immediate situation.
“Bernardo Silva has the doors open at any club, given his size. At home, of course, there are more. He himself said when this could happen. [regresso ao Benfica]. I’ve been out there too [enquanto jogador] and I know that it does not depend only on the player, but also on the club he represents. Bernardo, the day he decides, or when he can, return to Benfica, whoever the president is will have to make that decision. Since it won’t be until 2025, I can’t make decisions about it,” he stated.
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Source: TSF
