Roger Schmidt: ″Return of Felix? If it were possible, it was welcome″

Benfica coach ruled out the Portuguese international’s return to Luz and praises the team’s positive moment. It predicts difficulties against Chaves, on Saturday (6 pm).

The rumor of João Félix’s return to Benfica, on loan from Atlético de Madrid, emerged in Spain but was discarded this Friday by Roger Schmidt, Benfica’s coach.

“If it was possible, he was welcome. He only played a few months here, I like him a lot, but it doesn’t seem realistic to me. It was sold for a lot of money, but if it was possible, he was very welcome”, shot the German , who opened the door to team changes against Chaves on Saturday.

“It’s something we always have to do, keep changing. We’re going to play against a very good team, Chaves has already shown that this season. They’re good at attacking and they play good games away from home, not only because they beat Sporting and Braga, but that says it all”, he explains, before addressing the team’s feelings. “We are very confident, after a special game, a crucial game. Juventus gave everything to get back into the game and qualifying, but we showed all our potential. We were very intelligent and we were very focused. We have two weeks, then we have a break for the World Cup, we want to show our football”, he explained, in the preview of the meeting with the flavienses.

Upon arrival in Portugal, Schmidt showed love for Benfica, and guarantees that the feeling has not changed. “I already had the right feeling at the airport, it’s not that I knew the club very well, but I felt it, when I talked to people, Rui Costa, Lourenço, who was the right place to come to train, that’s why I said that ‘who likes football, likes Benfica’. Now I know the club much better, a club with great passion, just seeing the atmosphere in games like the one on Tuesday was everything I expected to find. I had this feeling even before signing a contract”, he explained, not wanting to compare the quality of football at this Benfica with its previous teams.

“It is almost impossible to compare the moments of my career. What I can say is that at the moment we are playing at a very good level and I believe that we have very reliable football when we have the ball. We have shown many different faces in other games. that we can adapt and I am very satisfied with the way the players are playing. On Tuesday it was an excellent game. If we continue at this level, we have the capacity to win trophies this year. I cannot compare old clubs with Benfica”, says .

About the little rotation in the eleven this season, he explains that the season is still at the beginning and that everyone will have a role during the season. The decision is mine, but the players decide. My responsibility is to be on the lookout and make sure we have a team on the pitch that is the best to win games. I try to treat all players the same, give the same attention. It’s still early in the season, there are key players who are being amazing, but they won’t be at the same level for the entire season. This varies throughout the season, I’m open to anything. There are many players on the bench who can play a different role. Now you have to wait for the opportunity, but keeping a positive attitude, we have to guarantee a good atmosphere in the team and I really admire how all the players support those who play the most. The door to the starting eleven is always open to everyone, they are the ones who decide with their performances”, he assures, before addressing the January market.

“I’m very satisfied with the squad, but you can ask this question of all the coaches. When the transfer window opens, and see if it’s possible to improve. The January market is different, there are no big changes, but if a opportunity, we have to think about it. We have a balanced team and in January we may have to rethink things. Something can happen, or nothing can happen. But this is the same for all clubs and coaches”, he concluded.