German coach Roger Schmidt said this Friday that Benfica must show a “good attitude” in the matches of the I Liga of Portuguese football after the European matches, expecting a difficult challenge in the visit to Boavista.
[Espero] A physical game. We analyze and I also know the history of the matches against Benfica. It’s always tough, but we’ll have a lot of tough games, especially after the internationals. That is what we have to do, also show a good attitude during the weekend, because the next few weeks will be like that”, highlighted the coach, in Seixal.
At a press conference prior to matchday four of the championship, Roger Schmidt admitted having spoken with assistant coach Javi García, a former Boavista player, who gave the rest of the coaches a “good point of view” of the next rival. equipment.
“I spoke with Javi, he knows Boavista very well. We have a good point of view of the team and we know that they are very motivated in the games against big teams like Benfica. They always play to the maximum in these games, but we are prepared. It will not be an easy game, especially at their stadium. It will be a challenge”, warned the coach.
The “embodied” made official this week the signing of Norwegian midfielder Fredrik Aursnes, from the Dutch club Feyenoord for 13 million euros (ME), plus two million through goals.
“He is a very complete midfielder, an absolute team player and very good with and without the ball. He is exactly what we wanted, a physical player who can run a lot. It’s very good for our squad to have a player like that, with the full package to play in midfield. He’s a good signing for us,” the 55-year-old Schmidt said.
For the duel with the ‘chess’, Benfica will have to make changes in defense, given the suspension of Otamendi, who joins the injured João Victor and Lucas Veríssimo, which will open a place in the ‘eleven’ for Vertonghen or António Silva, along with Morato. Schmidt took the opportunity to explain the situation of the experienced Belgian, relegated this season to a substitute.
In the preseason, Morato did a very good job. He had the advantage of being there from the start, since the internationals arrived a little later. Morato is in good shape, used to playing in this style and with good performances in important games. They are good arguments to continue in the team. I know Jan’s story, he is a great footballer and person, used to being a starter at big clubs, but I have to get the best players out on the pitch and Morato, at the moment, is doing very well”, he underlined.
On the other hand, striker Gonçalo Ramos is doubtful for the match, with Rafa’s violent frontal clash against the Ukrainians from Dynamo kyiv, leaving him with some bruises on his face. On the other hand, Schmidt also hopes not to lose the player until he closes the ‘market’ on September 1st.
“He’s one of the starters, he’s scored a lot of goals and has provided several assists, but I know the business of football and the market. I hope he stays, but if there is something on the market, the management has to analyze it and I accept any decision, even because we have other very good strikers. It is a decision of the club and the player, but I hope he stays, ”he reinforced.
Benfica, fourth classified, with six points, but one game in hand, visits Boavista, third, with the same score, on Saturday, at 6:00 p.m., at the Estádio do Bessa, in Porto, in matchday four of the I Liga soccer. , with the arbitration of João Pinheiro, from the Braga Football Association.
Source: Observadora
