Benfica president Rui Costa this Monday considered it a “good sign” to expect better results from the “red” team, given that it ranks “first” in the Portuguese First Football League.
“If we all knew this [o Benfica] He can bring more, that’s a good sign. If you come first, if you give up more, you can have more peace of mind,” the Reds leader said upon arriving at the Estoril casino for the champions’ gala.
Rui Costa was therefore optimistic about Benfica’s results in the near future, especially in the domestic championship, but also admitted that the team’s Champions League campaign was below expectations, given the current fourth and final position in Group D with zero points scored and no longer aiming to reach the last 16 of the tournament is an undesirable scenario and “completely deviates from the club’s goal.”
“The race didn’t go as we expected. Two years later [consecutivos] Being present in the quarter-finals, we wanted a completely different result than being absent and having four games played and four defeats at this stage. This is completely contrary to the goals of the club, and at the moment it is up to us to continue to compete in UEFA. [qualificação para a Liga Europa, via terceiro lugar no agrupamento]. We have to consider this a failure,” he said.
Rui Costa refused to discuss any moves Benfica could make in January, also warning that the transfer market was still more than a month away from opening.
“The market will only open in January, so until then nothing has been closed and nothing has been signed,” said the Benfica president, who also spoke about recent statements by Portugal international Bernardo Silva, who plays for English club Manchester City. .
Considering the desire of the Portuguese “creative” to return in the future to the “red” emblem, where he was trained and with which he is associated, Rui Costa noted that the implementation of this hypothetical scenario is not in his hands. since this is not a situation right away.
“Bernardo Silva has an open door at any club, given its size. At home, of course, he has even more. He himself said when this could happen. [regresso ao Benfica]. I was there too [enquanto jogador] And I know that it depends not only on the player, but also on the club he represents. Bernardo, the day he decides or the day he can return to Benfica, whoever the president is, he will have to make that decision. Since this won’t happen until 2025, I can’t make a decision on this,” he said.