Benfica coach, Roger Schmidt, promised this Monday, in the run-up to the Champions League match against Salzburg, to play on the attack, convinced that the team has the quality to be more effective in finishing.
“We are in the best phase in terms of football played. It remains to be done. Tomorrow [terça-feira], it is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate it, because if we are not effective we will be outside of Europe. For Benfica it is important to be in European competitions. The word is ours,” said the Benfica coach at the press conference.
When asked about the team’s lack of “killer instinct”, Roger Schmidt believes that this difference can be overcome against Salzburg.
“One thing is clear, we will not have as many opportunities as in the last game against Farense, we will have to be more effective and score more goals. We have the quality to do it. We will play on the attack and, although we are winning 1-0, the approach is not switch to. We will also see the rival’s approach, for which we have to be prepared,” he stated.
The red coach acknowledged that the draw with Farense in Luz, on Friday, for the I Liga, left a dent in the team: “We were all very disappointed with the result, but confident in the performance. We are playing at a good level” The team He is in good shape and there are many players close to their best level. “It will be important to play with confidence, the game against Salzburg is very important and we will fight to continue in Europe.”
Given the fact that Salzburg had only lost once by two goals or more in 25 games played this season, Roger Schimdt admitted the difficulties, but recalled Luz’s game against the Austrians.
“It will be difficult for us, Salzburg are a good team, but we have already shown that we can play good football at the moment. At home against them we played 90 minutes out of 10 and still created opportunities. We have to show efficiency in attack and control the rival – attack, where it is strong. If we score, we will go after the second, the approach will be natural. We will fight until the last minute,” he promised.
As for the player who will replace António Silva in defense, to pair with Otamendi – either Morato or Tomás Araújo -, the German coach stated that he has good options and that he will only announce who it is on the day of the match. but in relation to the Czech left back Jurasek assumed that he is an option to face Salzburg, taking into account that he improved a lot in the last week of the physical problems that affected him.
Finally, the ‘red’ coach commented on the message of support from president Rui Costa after the criticism he received during and after the match against Farense.
“For me it wasn’t so important because I know what the president thinks of me and the team. We are in contact every day. I don’t doubt his confidence in us. Everything is still possible. We are playing good football.” and uniting everyone is important at Benfica. We want to make the fans happy and win. In this group, we all believe that we can be successful and we have already shown it,” he highlighted.
At his side, Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi admitted that things have not gone well for the team in the Champions League: “It is important, when things are not going well, that we are more united than ever. I feel that the group is “We are united and we have a good chance to move forward in a European competition. “We approach the game in the best possible way, totally focused on achieving this objective, which is also important for the club.”
Benfica needs to win by a difference of at least two goals, but cannot neglect its defense, so Otamendi considers that “balance is important and that the entire defensive line must be concentrated”, but believes that the team “will play a great game and guarantee qualification” for the Europa League.
The absence of António Silva does not worry Otamendi, who says he trusts the teammate who plays alongside him: “António [Silva] “He is an important player for the team, but whoever plays will be up to the task and will do it in the best possible way.”
Regarding the fans’ protest against coach Roger Schmidt during and after the game against Farense, Otamendi even spoke of injustice considering what the team has already achieved this season.
“We have to support them in good times and bad, we have won a Super Cup, we are one point behind the leader, we are in national competitions,” he said.
Recalling the match against Farense, the ‘red’ captain stated that “the ball did not go in like in other games last season”, and that we must continue working and have a mentality.
“We have to improve and that is done with work and positivity. Sometimes things don’t go the way we want, but we have to insist and have the mentality that a player and a squad need,” he concluded.
The match between Salzburg and Benfica is scheduled for Tuesday, at 8:00 p.m., in Austria, and will be directed by the German Daniel Siebert.
The ‘eagles’ are last in Group D, with one point, with the Austrians third, with four. Real Sociedad and Inter Milan, already classified for the ’round of 16′ of the Champions League, both have 11 points.
Source: TSF
