The Benfica coach said this Saturday that the visit to Sporting de Braga “is not decisive” in the fight for the I Football League title, but admitted that direct confrontations are always on the team’s mind.
“Direct confrontations can always be decisive. You can score points and they can’t score points if you win games, so those matches are always in our minds. But this is the 14th round, it is not decisive, it is not the end of the game. season,” said Roger Schmidt in Seixal at a press conference on Sunday’s challenge.
Without stopping, the coach also recalled that “all the teams are very close to each other” and admitted that the Reds are striving to “improve the situation step by step” in the I league classification.
“We are in very good shape, so we go to Braga with good feelings. We hope to play a good game and it is clear that if we play well we have a chance to win it,” the German pointed out.
However, Schmidt recalled that Sporting de Braga are “a very good opponent” and therefore he expects a “difficult and balanced game” in which Benfica will have to “fight for 90 minutes plus stoppage time for three points.”
Braga is a very good team, very experienced, with excellent individual qualities. They make good decisions with the ball and are very effective in attack, especially when they have a lot of space. This is a great game and we need a great player. performance for victory,” the technician warned.
Regarding the situation of some of his players, he explained that Rafa “is in great form” but admitted that he expects the striker to “continue what he has done so far, but more effectively”, while Arthur Cabral, Tuesday’s decider against Salzburg in the Champions League match continues to gain confidence.
“Arthur is a different type of striker who can play better than he has shown so far. Everyone knows this. Every goal will help him reach his best form. If this could be the best option [para titular]I’ll think about it,” he commented.
Benfica visit Sporting de Braga on Sunday in a match of the 14th round of the First Portuguese Football League, which is scheduled to start at 20:30 at the Municipal Stadium of Braga, which will be refereed by Luis Godinho (Evora).
Roger Schmidt’s team remains third in the league, one point behind Sporting and Porto, who meet on Monday at the Lions’ home ground, and one point ahead of Sporting. Bragi.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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