The Benfica coach admitted that Petar Musa is closer to the start if he maintains the performance he showed in the second half of the Super Cup match against Porto.
Roger Schmidt spoke at a press conference announcing Monday’s match (at 20:45) against Boavista at Bessa Stadium.
“Musa always made a lot of good arguments,” he began with the words of the Eagles coach, even “from a tactical point of view.”
The second half he played in the Super Cup “was the best 45 minutes he’s had since training at Benfica, from the German’s point of view, who reminds that “the players have to show that they deserve to start”. With the income he presented, “he’s more likely to be a starter,” Schmidt noted.
As for the reinforcements that have arrived in Luz, goalkeeper Trubin and striker Artur Cabral, the coach says he is counting on them “with the added value they can bring to Benfica”, but their integration will take time.
Defender Morato found himself on the bench ahead of the Super Bowl, a situation the German manager justifies with the number of lineup options and the importance of Otamendi replacing him. “We are at Benfica. All players have a lot of competition. These are mature players who are used to the kind of decisions that coaches have to deal with,” he said.
According to Schmidt, “in some positions, Benfica have players of very similar quality”, as in the case of the central defensive post. “Niko played many games to become a champion and win a place in the Super Bowl,” he stressed.
The Reds manager added that “in pre-season everyone was in very close shape” and that this season he hopes to “use everyone”.
About the state of Bessa’s lawn, the ban on which was lifted this week, the German guaranteed that he would not worry. “It was one of the best surfaces we played last season,” he said. According to the Eagles coach, this issue is “not important for Benfica’s game.
Regarding the degree of difficulty he expects from the championship, Schmidt felt that the upcoming season “will be very difficult, long, with ups and downs.” For the Reds helmsman, Braga’s defeat at the reception to the Famalicans this Friday is a testament to “the quality that exists in this league”.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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