Rui Vitória: "We were better. Period"

Benfica beat Rio Ave by 5-1 in the Matchweek 21 of Liga NOS, with and outstanding performance, after facing an early disadvantage. Rui Vitória analyzed the match and highlighted "the superb second half, as a consequence of the quality, dedication and intensity that the team delivered to the match."

"A fair and categorical victory by Benfica against a difficult opponent, with a fantastic second half. We managed to get a large result. At the beginning, obviously, it was not what we wanted, we started losing 0-1, but after that the team was always looking for the opposite goal. We managed to control Rio Ave in its construction phase.

"The half-time was a very important moment, where we all felt that there was a challenge and the challenges are to be faced. And that is what we did on the second half, with a superb performance, as a consequence of the quality, dedication and intensity that the team delivered to the match. We entered with great determination and the goals naturally came, with a high offensive flow, with an enormous physical availability and great belief. The Benfiquistas go home happy and so do us", said the coach.

At Estádio da Luz there were 53 828 spectators watching the eagles’ match, showing, once more, the communion of the Benfiquista Family.

"It is not related to any special moment because the Benfiquistas have always been like that. It is good that we all believe together, fight together, there are 13 battles left and we should be conscious that there will be difficult games to be played and we have to be connected, with this empathy, with this dynamic between field and stands. It was the perfect communion. But it was not as easy as it seems", declared Rui Vitória.

"The result is the players' merit. That is what is important to be highlighted. The 5-1 will remain in history and some can think that the opponent did not have a good performance, but Rio Ave worked well, had a good attitude. But we were stronger. We were better. Period", explained the coach.