Benfica’s coach warned this Tuesday that it is an obligation to put on the best possible performance in the visit to Maccabi Haifa, on matchday six of the Soccer Champions League, despite the fact that he is already classified for the ‘eighth’.
Roger Schmidt anticipated the match, in Seixal, before traveling with the team to Israel, and admitted that the whole group is “happy to have already qualified for the round of 16”, but recalled that the first place in group H is open, among other “good reasons to make another good game”.
“We have the same points as Paris [Saint-Germain] and we both have tough games away from home. It’s the Champions League and we always try to do our best. In fact, in all matches, but especially in ‘Champions’, it is essential to show the best performance and mentality.”
Benfica, however, will find a team with “brave, active, intense football”, which was “very difficult” to win at the Estádio da Luz, in the first round, and which, moreover, still has “a clear objective “. .
“They can still qualify for the Europa League, so we have to wait for their best motivation, the best atmosphere and we have to be ready. It’s going to be a difficult game for us, but despite everything, we want to show our quality.” play a good game and win,” Schmidt stressed.
On Wednesday, against the Israelis, the coach will not be able to count on Enzo Fernández, “a player who is already important” for the team and who is serving a penalty for accumulating yellow cards, but he recalled that “other players have already shown that they have the quality to the team continues to play the same way”.
“The Frederick [Aursnes] has also shown that he can play very well in this position, Tino [Florentino] He is very good in this position, we have Paulo Bernardo, other options. It’s a shame, because I like having Enzo on the pitch, he always gives me a good feeling, but we have other players who can also play at the best level”, said the coach.
And precisely Aursnes, the first name remembered by the coach to occupy the position of Argentine midfielder, sat down next to Schmidt and guaranteed that he likes to play both on the left side, as has become more common at Benfica, and in the center. midfielder position.-field.
“As a player I am a good all-rounder and I can play in both positions. I try to do it my way, maybe I’m not the classic winger, but I really like both positions”, admitted the Norwegian.
Benfica visits Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday, in a match from matchday six of group H of the Champions League, starting at 8:00 p.m., at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, in Haifa, with England’s Anthony Taylor refereeing.
The team led by Roger Schmidt is already qualified for the round of 16 and occupies second place in the group, with the same 11 points as the leader, Paris Saint-Germain, the team that visits Juventus.
To win the group, Benfica needs to achieve a better result in Israel than the French in Turin, or recover from a four-goal deficit in the difference between goals scored and goals conceded.
Source: TSF
