Benfica lost in Lisbon (2-0) and will have to score at least two goals against Inter, the second best defense in the Champions League, to have a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. “We have to score goals or we are out of the Champions League. But we have already shown this season, in the league and in the Champions League, that we can score goals, whether at home or away. We also have chances in the first leg. We have to attack, but also defend, because the 2-0 is dangerous. If they score, we’re in a very complicated situation.. We have to believe that we can tie the knot. We have to play with a very clear mind, but also perform top, top, top.”
And because “goals change everything” in football, it’s good to remember that “in the last second of the first leg” the reds lost the chance to make it 2-1, which would make this match different, as they only added a goal to tie the tie. So they will have to score two to tie: “It doesn’t matter if I score sooner or later, because we have to score a second goal.”
The week’s holiday that the German coach gave to players who were not called up for the respective national teams, with three consecutive defeats (FC Porto, Inter and Chaves), is cited as one of the reasons for the current results crisis. But Schmidt sees it in a different way: “It has an impact, but a positive impact on the players. The problem was that the players had international obligations, had to travel, couldn’t keep up with the training and therefore lost some momentum.” . together for a while, we don’t want to use that excuse.’
The coach also came forward to defend the players, asking them to “be focused on giving their best”, something that hasn’t happened in the last few games.
“The moment is difficult”, but it is “almost May” and Benfica are still in the Champions League and first in the league. And that, according to Schmidt, should be “appreciated”, because “so far it has been fantastic”.
The defeats were “unexpected”, but you have to look ahead: “When you play such good games against such good teams, and the statistics show that… We have a lot of good reasons to believe in ourselves. If we don’t have confidence in ourselves after this season, then it will be difficult to have confidence.”
António Silva: “We want to make history”
“Nothing is impossible at this club. We know it’s 2-0, it’s a very strong club, but we’ve got our guns. We’ve shown some excellent football this year. We’ll try to replicate what our season has been. bring to the game We want to make history for Benfica, something we are undoubtedly very proud of,” said central defender António Silva.
Source: DN
