Benfica will face Juventus (8pm Wednesday, Eleven Sports) and Roger Schmidt admitted today that a draw might not be a bad result, despite the goal being to win in Turin. “We know that anything is possible. We are not favourites, but we hope and believe in ourselves. We will try to be brave, believe in ourselves and do our best to win the game. If we can’t win, we will try for a point,” said the red coach. , arguing that an out-of-case tie is positive for the tabular accounts.
“The group stage is very short, there are six games. We have to take advantage of every game to earn points to ensure qualification. These are Champions League games that are very close together. We can reach the fifth game with everything we need. We have to do everything we can to get good results and qualify, especially in away games. We’ll see what happens. It’s important, but not decisive,” warned the German, admitting changes in the starting eleven.
After beating Maccabi Haifa on match day one (2-0) and seeing the Italians lose to PSG (2-1), what can we expect from tomorrow’s game? “I expect a difficult game, because of the quality of the players. But also because of the experience of the coach. Juventus are a great team, they may have problems in LaLiga, but we will not judge them on those games. Last week they have have shown that they are capable of playing at the top European level. That’s why I say it will be difficult for us. But we believe in our level, we will try to play a good game and anything is possible.”
Reaffirming that he is “in the right place” – that is, at Benfica – Roger Schmidt also refused to make comparisons to the Champions League opponent’s exhibition level: “I don’t like these discussions. Juventus is a great team in Europe, as we are We. But if we look at the history and the economic side, Benfica cannot be a favorite. They are not at a good time, but we have to respect the qualities of Juventus. We believe that every be able to beat the opponent, with courage and if the strategy works, it will be difficult to face us. Let’s see what the team can achieve with this mentality.”
João Mário devalued the Italians’ bad moment (two wins in seven official games). “They are playing at home, we know they are not going through the best moment, they will want to give a great reaction against us. great players, a lot of experience in the league, with players at the level of the best teams in the world. It’s a Italian team and with a very strong level. We have to be at the best level to get a good result here,” said the Benfica midfielder.
Source: DN
