The coach Roger Schmidt assumed this Friday that Benfica has a more complicated schedule than FC Porto in the last rounds of the I Liga, but he stressed that the reds have everything to be champions.
Questioned, at a press conference, in Seixal, about the degree of difficulty of the remaining matches for the top two teams in the championship, the German was direct in his response and recognized the difficulty he faces to win the title.
“Clear [que o calendário do Benfica é mais difícil do que o do FC Porto]! We play against Sporting and against Sporting de Braga, it’s a complicated schedule, but I wouldn’t change it because we have everything in our hands. It is clear that it is not easy to come out champion and that our last games are complicated, but, for now, we are totally focused on Gil Vicente”, shot the coach.
Despite recognizing a greater degree of difficulty in the remainder of the season, compared to the closest pursuer -he is four points away-, Schmidt downplayed the importance of playing before or after the ‘dragons’ in the last days of the competition.
“For me the important thing is to be focused on our game. It doesn’t change anything if we play before or after, ”he commented.
The ‘reds’ visit Gil Vicente on Saturday and have Otamendi, António Silva and Grimaldo at risk of missing the next matchday, against Sporting de Braga, if they see a yellow card, but Schmidt did not reveal if he will protect any of the players
“If we have to replace a suspended player, we do it. I believe in all the players. We have to accept, because it is part of football to have to replace players. We will see the decision for tomorrow. [sábado] and then which players will be available for the [Sporting de] Braga”, devalued.
Finally, the coach refused to comment on the news about the proximity of an agreement between Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Japanese midfielder, Kamada, but agreed to comment on Rafa’s performance in recent games, refusing to judge the striker for his poor performance. effectiveness in the match. iLeague.
“Rafa is a team player. He is having a great season, he has had fantastic games. He scored more in the Champions League than in the Portuguese League, but he is usually involved in attacking situations and is fantastic in the space between the lines. “No, I only judge him by his effectiveness. He is a great player and we are happy to have him here”, analyzed the German.
Benfica visits Gil Vicente on Saturday, in a match of the 30th day of the First Football League, scheduled for 8:30 p.m., at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, with the refereeing of Fábio Veríssimo (AF Leiria).
The team led by Roger Schmidt seeks to continue with the victory of the previous day, against Estoril Praia (1-0), after two consecutive defeats in the I Liga, to maintain, at least, the four-point advantage over FC Porto , which Boavista receives on Sunday.
Source: TSF
