Rui Vitória: "The referee lacked courage in a match like this"

The coach of Benfica, Rui Vitória, was assertive in the analysis of Carlos Xistra's refereeing in the derby, that finished 0-0. Even so, he started his intervention in the flash interview zone praising the performance of the team he leads.

“The first half of the reds was a summary of how to play away at a good team, strong, and how it is possible to play away from home with great quality. It was what we did in the first half. We were the stronger team, we faced a team with quality, good players, and a good collective. We came here to win and we were unlucky not to do win it. We had opportunities to score, we played with quality. We did not rack up three points that we deserved, but there is still a round left to play”, he said.

Rui Vitória spoke about the strategy of Benfica that surprised Sporting in the first 45 minutes, and congratulated the players and the fans.

“Sporting had difficulties. In the first half they were not able to adjust to our strategy and we presented many difficulties to Sporting. In the second half, Sporting balanced a little bit. That does not take away merit to the Sporting squad merit. In this match we said what was our goal, which was to win. We show our quality. We should have won due to the opportunities we had. I must congratulate my players, for the attitude they had, for the courage they had. I would like to give a word of appreciation to the Benfica fans

In the Sport TV's post-match highlights appear plays from both teams like if the match had been balanced, a situation that the Red's coach refuted.

“when I was coming to the press conference I noticed that in the match highlights, they put an image with a Benfica goal chance and another image with a Sporting goal chance as if the game had been balanced. The only thing where there was balance was in the ball possession. In the rest, we were better”, he stressed.

And he told the Media that was present: “Value what Benfica did. You criticized Benfica throughout the entire season as if it was a target and it could not win the fifth league title in a row. We won four and we will win more times.”

Carlos Xistra was the referee of the derby and the coach of the eagles considered that the official showed little courage to apply in the match what he said he was going to do in the prior meeting in the morning of the match.

“I am displeased with this type of refereeing, I have to say. I say because, throughout this season, I was always a coach who tried to be as polite, coherent and elegant as possible. I tried to be very careful about the referees. I've known Carlos Xistra for many years, he's a good referee, but today he did not have the quality and the courage necessary for a match like this one. And why? Because he did not have the courage to decide like he said I was going to do in the morning meeting", revealed the coach.

Benfica is in the fight for the 2nd place of the Liga NOS and will face Moreirense in the round 34, at the Estádio da Luz.

“I believe, I believe, obviously! We will play the last round, we will see what happens. I want everything to be as correct as possible. I'm looking at this game and the reverse fixture, and there were a lot of penalties to be awarded. I hope everything goes well in the last round”, he wished.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica