Rui Vitória: “Great tactical discipline and maximum concentration”

Manchester United and Benfica face in the matchday 4 of the Champions League group stage. The match starts at 7:45 pm, at Old Trafford, and to keep dreaming with the qualification, Benfica only has one thing to do: Win!

In the match preview Press Conference, held on Monday in the Theater of Dreams, Rui Vitória was the voice of the reds.

Confronted with the opponent match scheduled and the space between games, the coach was asked about a possible fatigue of Manchester.

“I don't believe in that. Basically, we are going to face a team that is used to playing with short breaks between competitions and is well prepared. They have already played with a short time interval and the always maintain a high demand.  On the other side, we know the working methodology of José Mourinho, it is clear he wants to add points in this competitions, so he will not forgo that”, that Rui Vitória.

Douglas is one of the players named for the match at Old Trafford. The right-back is prepared to start the match? Rui Vitória approached the theme. 

“Regarding Douglas or any other player that is here, if I brought them is because they are ready. O Douglas has not been playing, but if he plays tomorrow [Tuesday], he will give a positive response, as any other player that may enter the pitch”, he explained.

Luisão saw two yellow cards (and consequent red card) at Estádio da Luz, against Manchester, in the matchday 3 of the competition, therefore he is suspended and cannot play. The captain stayed in Lisbon and the journalists wanted to know if he left any special message.

“There were no special words because we work constantly so that all games are faced in the same way. For us, all games have are decisive. In fact, we never know which is the most important game of a season, so all the games we play are of great importance. It's another game we're going to do. Luisão  cant' be here today, Wednesday he will be back with the group”, said the coach.

What about the strategy for United? Will it be similar to the one used at Light in front of this opponent?

“It has to do with the collective posture and, more than in the formation, it relies on a great tactical discipline, a maximum concentration so that in the defensive process we can performed the necessary actions to solve the problems, and in the offensive point of view, take advantage of the few goal chances there are in this type of matches… that is to say, high levels of efficiency. The team is prepared to play in several ways”, stressed Rui Vitória.

 O Manchester United-SL Benfica has the initial whistle from the Lithuanian Gediminas Mazeika at 7:45 pm.

Text: Sónia Antunes

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica