Bruno Lage: “To always do our best and show it in the matches”

The 2018/19 season will witness, this Wednesday at 8:45 pm, at Estádio José Alvalade, the 4^th derby, this time for the second leg of the Portuguese Cup semifinals. Benfica has a 2-1 led from Luz, but Bruno Lage, in the preview press conference, warned that the “result is short”.

How will Benfica play to reach its 37^th final?

It will be a match that gives us the opportunity to fight for a title. We are at halftime and winning with a short 2-1 result, and we must be at our best level. The opponent is capable, one of the best in Portugal.

Do you believe that the team can do the same it did in Alvalade for the Liga NOS?

We always seek to do what happened in Alvalade, to do our best and show it in the matches every three days. The opponent has its strengths and weaknesses. Sporting in a certain way in the 1st match, a different one in the 2nd and no plays with three centre-backs.

Do you expect Sporting to play with three centre-backs? How can Benfica cancel out the opponent?

I don't know if they will play with three centre-backs or not. If it was a Portuguese coach, playing at home and needing to win, I would say no. This coach has a different culture and in the Netherlands, the formation with three centre-backs is seen as more offensive. We will have our set strategy defined to limit Sporting's build up from the back as much as possible.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica