Luís Filipe Vieira: "We want Jonas to remain with us"

SL Benfica and Fenerbahçe locked horns this Tuesday evening, at the Estádio da Luz. A 1-nil triumph for the Reds that gain an advantage in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League. Luís Filipe Vieira spoke to BTV at the end of the encounter, reiterated the motto of the Reconquest and clarified "all the noise" that has been created around Jonas' situation.

“We won, that is the most important. What matters is the victory. The objective is to think positive. We have a well-established squad and we seriously think about the Reconquest. We want to win all the competition we play in”, he started by saying.

Is Benfica’s squad closed?

“The squad is consolidated, but until the 31^st of August, there might still be some changes. Until then, we will see, we will talk to our coach. We are not thinking about selling any player. What we envision, together with our coach, is being implemented”, he said emphatically.

Much has been said about Jonas' situation at Benfica. The president clarified all, explaining what the Club’s position is and refusing to feed more noise and speculation.

“You used the right word: noise. Jonas has another year of contract with Benfica, we are very pleased with him, the coaching staff also, and I think the supporters also agree that he is one of the best players we had in the last 20/30 years. We want him to remain with us, we are available to renew his contract and whatever else beyond that you will have to talk to Jonas”, he said.

“We do not expect any Benfica players to leave and, if we can, we will strengthen the team. We have as an objective to rely on Jonas, he has another year of contract, if possible to renew it, everything else is speculation. It is not for me to feed anything and any doubt you may have you will have to speak with Jonas and not with Benfica” concluded Luís Filipe Vieira.

Text: Sónia Antunes

Pics: SL Benfica