Benfica coach Roger Schmidt on Tuesday set the target of qualifying for the Europa League, via third place in Group D of the Champions League, relegating the four defeats in the competition to the “past”.
During a press conference previewing the match against Inter Milan, on matchday 5 of the Champions League, Schmidt admitted that he was not “satisfied with the situation in the group”, but recalled that Wednesday’s meeting was “a great opportunity ” is to beat “one”. of the best teams in Europe today”.
“Now we have to play a good match tomorrow [quarta-feira]. We don’t have to think too much about the group’s situation. We want to qualify for the Europa League, that is clear. If we can’t play the Champions League, the next best thing [competição europeia] It’s the Europa League. That is our focus now. The four previous matches are in the past,” said the coach at Seixal.
To this end, it is important for Benfica to beat Inter Milan, an opponent they have already faced three times in 2023, with a balance of a draw and two defeats, including in the second round of Group D this season, 1-0, in Italy.
Schmidt recalled that he had to make “three substitutions due to an injury” in that match. He admitted that the team aims to “learn from these previous matches” to “do better and win”, but recalled that “it is always difficult to beat Inter Milan”.
“Just look at their results so far. It is difficult to score goals from them because they are very compact, very disciplined, with five defenders, three midfielders and two attackers who are very physically strong and able to fight duels. win. All teams Playing against Inter have to fight to win and the same goes for us,” he warned.
Still, the German showed confidence as he commented on the recent tactical changes he has made to the team, with the placement of Florentino and João Neves in central midfield and the move of Morato to left defense, bringing “stability in difficult matches ” took care.
“We have to believe in ourselves and play our football, even against a very strong Inter team. If we don’t believe, we have no chance,” he said.
Before the coach, Morato himself had commented on his adjustment to “another position” and revealed that he was “ready and willing” to play where the coach sees fit, in addition to also having the goal of advancing to the Europa League.
“If we want to continue tomorrow in Europe [quarta-feira] It’s a big step in that direction. [Jogar a Liga Europa] In the beginning that was not our goal, but now this goal has come our way and we have to chase it to continue in Europe,” said the Brazilian defender.
Benfica will host Inter Milan on Wednesday in a fifth round match of Group D of Champions League football, starting at 8 p.m., at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, with Latvian Andris Treimanis as referee.
The Roger Schmidt-coached team no longer have a mathematical chance of advancing in Europe’s premier club competition, but could still progress to the Europa League if they finish third in the group stage.
To achieve this, the Reds, who remain in last place in Group D with no points and just one goal in four games, must achieve at least the same result as Salzburg’s visit to Real Sociedad to discuss qualification. in the final round, against the Austrians, who remain in third place with three points.
Source: DN
