Roger Schmidt has no doubts about the confidence that Benfica president Rui Costa has in his work and this was clearly expressed yesterday at the press conference in Austria, where he looked ahead to the match with RB Salzburg this evening (8 p.m., Eleven), for the Champions League. And it was in this sense that the German coach assumed that for him “the president’s words were not so important” and explained why: “I know exactly what he thinks about me, my work and the team’s production. We are in contact every day. and that is why I have no doubts about his confidence.” And in this sense, he believes that Rui Costa’s statements on Saturday, after the incidents at the end of the draw with Farense, were “important” for the fans, as it after all, he emphasized, “it is important for everyone to be united” around the team.
After the match against the Algarve, Schmidt was visibly irritated by what had happened – he threw objects and insults at him when he replaced João Neves -, but this time he admitted in a cooler tone that ‘Benfica is a special club, where you always win.” In this sense, he emphasized that the mission of coaches and players is “simple”: “To win matches and make fans happy and we must all have more tolerance because we believe that we can be successful.” The coach once again acknowledged that “no one is satisfied with what has been done in the Champions League”, but recalled that the team “is present in all competitions and has shown good football.”
Before Schmidt took the floor, captain Otamendi had also spoken about the incident in the match against Farense and was direct. “I’m sad because these kinds of situations should be avoided,” he said, recalling that “you have to be present in good times and bad times.” The Argentine defender recalled that Benfica won the Super Cup this season and is one point away from the lead, but acknowledged that “everyone is aware that” we must improve in every match “, but also” that we must support in good and bad times. “Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but we have to persevere and have a winning mentality,” he emphasized.
Call for effectiveness in Austria
Benfica can no longer continue in the Champions League and are forced to beat RB Salzburg by two goals to avoid premature termination of the UEFA competitions and progress to the Europa League. A very complicated mission recognized by Roger Schmidt. “We won’t get as many chances as in the last game [com o Farense]but we are in the best phase in terms of football played and we just have to convert our chances,” he emphasized, recalling that this is “an excellent opportunity to demonstrate” the good moment. “If we are not effective, we will be.” from Europe and it is important for us to participate in the European competitions. The word is ours,” he added.
In reality, Benfica will have to achieve the same result as Real Sociedad this season (2-0), but that is very difficult to achieve in Salzburg, because to find another defeat for the Austrians at home with a two-goal difference is necessary. Go back to February 18, 2021, when Spanish Villarreal also won 2-0 there, after which 67 official home games were played without losing by more than the minimum difference.
“It will be difficult for us, but we have already shown that we can play good football in these times. We have to show efficiency and control the counter-attacks where they are strong. If we score, we will go after the second On.” Schmidt said by way of prescription, before giving a guarantee: “We will fight until the last moment, because it is very important for Benfica to continue playing in Europe.”
Without António Silva, who is suspended for being sent off in the match against Inter Milan, the Benfica coach will have to change the defense, but he did not leave any idea what his option will be, leaving only the certainty that The Czech David Jurásek is an option for this match. “He is improving, he had some problems, but his training performance improved last week in training, so it is an option,” he said, admitting that replacing António Silva, Morato and Tomás Araújo “are good options”. Asked who his defensive partner will be, Otamendi preferred to point to the game: “We must have the necessary rest. We must be prepared for a tough match and it will be important for us to continue in the European competitions.”
At the end of the press conference, Roger Schmidt admitted that he had “a special feeling” returning to a city where he was happy during the two seasons he managed RB Salzburg. “Those were good times in a spectacular city, but now the focus is on the game,” he said.
Source: DN
