Rui Vitória: “They thought it was Benfica's funeral…”

Friday night and all eyes on Estádio do Dragão for the Matchday 13ª of Liga NOS. FC Porto and SL Benfica in an exciting clash and a final 0-0.

At the end of the match, Rui Vitória analyzed the main incidences of the "clássico", an “intense, balanced and well disputed" match.

"On the first half we had 30 minutes very good, where we were a very personalized team." The players started with great determination. But, we played against a good team, which – on the first half - seemed to be looking after our mistake in order to assist Aboubakar and Marega", said in the flash interview.

“On the second half we tried to control the match, but the FC Porto started with a higher flow, they were playing home and they have quality. A first half more for our side and a second more for FC Porto”, analyzed Rui Vitória.

 Rui Vitória highlighted the quality of the match and reinforced the idea that the Four-time Champion is alive and kicking.

"It was a well disputed match, with no goals, but tactically very interesting, with two balanced teams. We have shown that we're here. One week ago many thought that Benfica's funeral was supposed to be here, but it was not and we're in the race until the end", he declared.

Benfica played in a 4x3x3 system tonight...

"It's a system that we use, but it's not going to be like that on every match. Now, the players are comfortable with it and there are other teams working with this system for a while. It's a part of the team's evolution process".

“We came here to dispute the match, to win, but we felt that Benfica's vision over us, that our funeral was supposed to be here today, but it wasn't. The football life it's just like that and we'll keep working with our humbleness. We'll have Championship until the end, and we are here, saying present. The Championship is long, it has many ups and downs and we have many experience”, concluded Rui Vitória.

With this result, the "Tetracampeão" counts with 30 points, three points less than FC Porto and Sporting CP, both with 33.

Text: Sónia Antunes

Pics: SL Benfica