Coach Roger Schmidt admitted on Thursday that Benfica need to be more consistent on the road to challenge for the Liga I title and urged the team to focus on the challenge against Moreirense.
“In the last few away games we haven’t been as consistent in winning as we need to be to win the title. At home we’ve been very consistent, but we need to have that quality in away games as well,” player Herman said at a press conference in Seixal.
The Reds have failed to win any of their last three away matches in the championship, including two last season, against Famalicao (2-0 defeat) and Rio Ave (1-1), and lost again in the first round of this season, again in Famalicao (2-0).
On Friday, in the opening match of the fourth round of the I League, they visit Moreirense, an opponent they have also failed to beat in their last two trips, in the 2022/23 League Cup (1-1) and in the I League last season (0-0).
“We have already played there twice, in a small stadium, it is not easy. We drew both times, which means it is very difficult to win. They started this season very well, won the first two games, played well too. That is why all our attention, even at this stage of the transfer market, must be completely focused on this game,” Schmidt recalled.
Despite his focus on the league match, the coach agreed to comment on the new format of the Champions League, the draw for which will take place this Thursday, and admitted that he was “delighted” from the first time he heard about the changes.
“Playing in the Champions League is always fantastic because it is the best club competition in the world, I have always enjoyed it. But this new situation, with all the teams classified, eight games against eight different opponents, four at home and four away, I like it and I am looking forward to the draw and getting to know the teams we will face,” admitted Schmidt.
Benfica visit Moreirense on Friday in a match of the fourth round of the Portuguese Football League I, scheduled to kick off at 20:15, at the Parque Desportivo Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas in Moreira de Conegos, refereed by André Narciso (AF Setubal).
Roger Schmidt’s team is looking for a third consecutive league win after home wins over Casa Pia (3-0) and Estrela da Amadora (1-0), which followed a false start with a 2-0 defeat in Famalicao.
Moreirense, led by Cesar Peixoto, are looking to return to winning ways after the defeat in the third round away to Sporting Braga (3-1), which followed a positive start with victories away to Farense (2-1) and at home to Arouca (3-1).
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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