Bruno Lage: "This isn't pressure, it's motivation"

To be at the top spot of the Liga NOS when there are eight round left to play, after the recovery carried out in the last three months of competition, is a "unique opportunity" for Benfica, who is fighting since the first moment to win back the title. That is how the coach Bruno Lage interprets reality.

"We have to be at our best level ", stressed the coach of the eagles in the press conference at Caixa Futebol Campus, , previewing the first of the finals, against Tondela (matchday 27 of the Liga NOS), scheduled for 8:30 pm on Saturday at Estádio da Luz.  

How do you look at this match between Benfica and Tondela and your reunion with Pepa, your opponent's coach?

To talk about Tondela we must start by talking about the reunion. Not long ago we were together because we did the IV Level at the same time. Looking at the team and looking at Pepa is almost the same thing. Around 10 years ago, he was at Benfica as the U-15 assistant coach and made career until reaching the I Division. That’s the spirit of Tondela: to live day by day, game by game and seize the opportunities. We will face an extremely difficult opponent for its organization, for the moment they are going through, desperately in need of points. Like always, we will have to be at our best level to clinch the three points.

How are João Félix, Seferovic and Jardel's physical condition? Can they be options for the game with Tondela?

They are 100 percent fit and they can all be an option.

Benfica is facing eight finals in the Championship. How does one manage the pressure of having to win?

This position we have achieved is a unique opportunity. This isn't pressure, it’s motivation. The pressure we put on our work to want to do things well is our greatest pressure. Tomorrow [Saturday] we must step onto the pitch, get the three points, put in a good performance, provide a good show because we welcome the fact that the stadium is going to be full. Our pressure must be that: very focused on the task, on what we can do with and without the ball, get to the match and replicate what we do every day in training.

Text: João Sanches

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica