André Almeida: "Benfica knew how to manage and control the game"

André Almeida was a starter on the right side of Benfica's defense in the draw against Fenerbahçe, that allowed the team to go through to the Champions League play-off. This was his 200th match with an eagle on his chest.

“I am very happy to have reached this number for Benfica, such a big Club. An also happy for the fact it was crowned with this qualification for the next stage”, he said.

The 1-1 draw was enough to leave Fenerbahçe behind. In the opinion of the number 34, the best team in the 180 minutes of the tie went through to the next stage.

“Benfica knew how to manage the match very well. With justice being made – like it happened– the best team went through. We had already been the best team in the first leg and we were again now. We knew how to control the game and its moments”, he analyzed.

Gedson was the scorer of Benfica's goal at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium and earned the praise of André Almeida.

“He is a kid with quality like others we have here. Benfica has been making a good work in the youth training, in the B team and now in the U-23. There will appear more naturally”, he predicted.

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica