Fernando Tavares: "We are Benfica and we must think ahead"

The women's football team of Sport Lisboa e Benficaended the 2020/21 season winning the National Championship. When it came time to take stock, vice-president Fernando Tavares left high praise: "These inspiring women are fantastic." 

Happiness for unprecedented achievement

"Honestly, I don't even know where to begin with so much that is in my soul. I would like to share this moment especially with the fans, we played with heart for the fans. This was not a victory of good against evil, or competence against incompetence, or moralists against the corrupt. It was a victory of Benfica, for Benfica and not against anyone."

Fantastic work in a difficult season

"We went through a lot this season. There was COVID-19, the uncertainty about the calendar, the injuries, a change of coaching staff in the middle of the season that is never easy to implement, but that was done with full conviction, knowing that it was the best for Benfica. When we bet on this coaching staff, we bet on a path. They did an extraordinary job, the athletes did a remarkable job. These inspiring women are fantastic and all the people behind this team did a fantastic job."

Benfica "demand and deserve" new heights

"We won a championship, but there is much more to do, much more to build and create. We cannot stop here; we are Benfica and we must think ahead. They deserved this moment and this win, and e strongly needed to dedicate this win to the fans. From now on, we are going to work, prepare next season, we are delighted to be in the Champions League again. Benfica demand and deserve new heights."

To be dominant in Portugal and improve in Europe

"The national titles are absolutely determinant. We must dominate the Portuguese football. The participation in the Champions League was good for us, a year to learn, we were not aware of the teams’ level. We already have some European-level athletes. The others are improving to get there."