Roger Schmidt: ″We have proven that we are back″

The coach of the eagles, Roger Schmidt, addressed the reception to Braga (tomorrow, at 20.30 hours), and believes that Benfica have proven “to be back” to great performances in recent weeks.

“Perhaps Braga don’t just want to fight for second place, but for first. They are one of the contenders for the title and have had a great season, playing offensive football. I expect a great game in our stadium, because in recent weeks we have proved that we’re back. We know it’s an important game and a great opportunity for us. We’re ready to fight until the last day”, defends the technician.

Schmidt gave the recipe for defeating Braga, recalling that the team is used to pressure. “We have to play against Benfica. We’ve shown many times this season that the opponent doesn’t matter, whether in domestic competitions or in international competitions. We always respect the opponent and we have to be concentrated and do what we’re supposed to do. neglect the organization. The team is used to this type of encounters and we’re going to have to run a lot”, he considered.

Asked about the impact of less positive results, Schmidt wants the team to learn from mistakes and believes that the focus is on the present. “We can’t change the less positive results. It’s not worth thinking about those meetings a few months ago, not least because now the story is different. We are four points ahead of second place, FC Porto, and that’s why we look. We have to be focused during the 90 minutes and the past will not influence. We have to be the best team and show competence”.

As for the choice of striker to face Braga, the coach of the eagles reiterated his confidence in Gonçalo Ramos, in addition to highlighting the evolution of Musa. “I think that both Gonçalo Ramos and Musa are in good shape. Gonçalo has had a fantastic season and it’s normal not to have scored in the last few games, also because of the responsibility of starting a team like Benfica. He works a lot for the team. and it’s important in other aspects. It’s not all about the goals. Musa has also been doing well, especially as a substitute, and has had an important impact in recent weeks. Roger Schmidt.

In conclusion, the German coach guaranteed that the team is prepared and appealed for the support of the Benfica universe. “The players have the right mentality and we have been preparing several situations during the week. The team is motivated and at this stage the focus has been on the attitude to have, not least because tactical issues have been constantly talked about during the season. We have to learn from what has already happened during 2022/23, because we have already won much more than we lost. This is a process and it is not with a speech that the game is won, it is necessary to keep the belief alive throughout the Benfica universe”.