Roger Schmidt says official announcement of Grimaldo’s departure was ‘unnecessary mistake’

Benfica coach Roger Schmidt dismissed on Saturday as a “completely unnecessary” mistake that Grimaldo left the club for German side Bayer Leverkusen before the end of the First Football League.

“Advertising, photographs, interviews… It was not very smart, completely unnecessary. He could leave and even be announced, but not in this way. It wasn’t good for his new club as the current players We don’t want to focus on next season it wasn’t good for us because there was noise and it wasn’t good for Grimaldo either because what he did for Benfica “is not appropriate for this situation.” he stressed.

Roger Schmidt addressed the official departure of the Spanish left-back during a press conference ahead of the Lisbon derby in the stronghold of Sporting Liga 33, which would give Benfica the title if they beat their archrival.

“It was a mistake. His new club and his agent should advise him to do better. I don’t know if it was an explicit convention to do it this way. support and is my player until the last second of the season,” he said.

The German recalled that when he took over the technical command of “incarnated”, there was already a buzz about the succession of Grimaldo, who did not sleep during the pre-season, “starting from scratch and fully focused on the season”, which ended up happening.

“What happened next was fantastic. Grimaldo is a key player and leader. He had a great season, he is always available, very professional and a player who has a lot of responsibility this season,” said coach Orlov, 56.

Knowing that Grimaldo’s contract was coming to an end at the end of the season, Benfica did “everything to convince him to stay”, but Roger Schmidt respects the opinion of the athlete and what he intends to do in the second half of his career, without your participation. causes.

“We may be a little disappointed by the departure, but he has spent seven and a half seasons at a high level here at Benfica. many players only have this history at one club. I respect what he did for Benfica,” added Roger Schmidt, “closing” the topic.

Bayer Leverkusen announced on Monday that they have signed Alejandro Grimaldo at the end of his contract with Benfica until 2027, in a tweet posted by the German football club, which is currently sixth in the Bundesliga with 49 points.

“Welcome, Grimaldo. Alejandro Grimaldo has signed a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2027, ”the German team, two days before the end of the championship, is still fighting for a place in the next draw, said in a statement. from the European Conference League, occupying the last position in entering European competitions together with Wolfsburg.

The 27-year-old Spanish footballer trained at Valencia and completed it at Barcelona, ​​moving to Benfica in the 2015/16 season and remaining in the “incarnation” until this season, in which he became the national champion three times. , having played a total of 301 matches so far and scoring 26 goals.

The Benfica leader with 83 points will visit Sporting CP, who finished fourth with 70, in the derby of the 33rd and penultimate round of the First Football League at the José Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on Sunday at 20:30. there is arbitration by João Pinheiro of the Braga Association.