Benfica coach Roger Schmidt said this Friday that he intends to transfer the “confidence and faith” shown during the reception of Sporting de Braga to the visit to Portimonense, in the 32nd round of the I Football League.
“Last weekend we showed a lot of confidence and belief in ourselves. We played a great game, one of the best of the season in my opinion. Even without scoring, we always remain calm. I hope tomorrow [sábado] too,” said the German coach at a press conference at Benfica Campus, in Seixal.
The ‘incarnate’ won last Saturday at Estádio da Luz, Sporting de Braga, 1-0, in an important match for the title accounts, against a direct opponent, came close to the title of champions and kept the four breakthrough points on the front.
“I expect [do jogo com o Portimonense] the same as every away game this season, an opponent who does everything to make it a good game against Benfica. We expect a good opponent. We know that they can no longer be relegated, become champions or fight for European competitions, so they can play without any pressure. It will be a good game,” he added.
Benfica have put in “a lot of effort” this season and as such the aim is to “finish at the top level”, with only three rounds to play and with the possibility of even becoming champions on Sunday, if they win and FC Porto lose to Casa Pia.
“I am completely focused on the game. We know that there will be a lot of Benfiquistas in the stadium and they will support us in a very good way, as they do in our stadium and in many away games. Full power tomorrow and we will try win the game, because the rest does not depend on us. We are focused on our game and we will take it game by game,” he stressed.
Benfica’s management’s lavish celebrations after the victory over Sporting de Braga show “how much it means for Benfica to fight for the championship,” said the German, who confirmed that everyone wants to be champions, including his president, Rui Costa .
“We know that Benfica fans are proud and happy when we are doing well. We want to make them happy and show attacking football, which is in Benfica’s DNA, but of course they also expect trophies. It is an emotional moment for everyone.” , athletes, ‘staff’ and of course for the president. Our president is Benfica, he puts so much energy and passion into this club and we all want to be champions for him too,” he stressed.
Danish right-back Bah “has been training with the team since last week, but he still has some minor issues” that prevented him from taking any chances, with Roger Schmidt still to decide on a possible deployment of the footballer.
Benfica, leader of the 1st Portuguese football league, with 80 points, will visit Portimonense, 13th, with 34, on Saturday from 6:00 p.m. at Portimão Estádio, in a match for the 32nd round, which will take place with the arbitration of Artur Soares Dias , from the Association of Porto.
Source: DN
