Roger Schmidt: "The key was the collective play"

PRESS CONFERENCE

Roger Schmidt analyzed the Benfica-Midtjylland first leg of the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League, a match played on the night of Tuesday, August 2, in a vibrant Estádio da Luz, with about 53,000 fans in the stands. A fair 4-1, win, leaving good prospects...

FAIR WIN, GOOD FOOTBALL AND FANTASTIC SUPPORT

"Of course I'm happy. It was our job to continue the good work and take the confidence of what we accomplished in pre-season onto the pitch. Before the kick-off, we knew that the pre-season was a thing of the past and we would have to show up well in a match that wasn't easy. And we did. Midtjylland is not an easy opponent to play against, they are very strong physically and defend with many players behind the ball, always looking for the counter-attack. We created many chances to score, played good football, scored at the right time and deserved to win. The 4-1 score is fair, even though we could have scored more. And the support at the stadium was fantastic. Now, we have to be prepared for the next game, and that will be on Friday, the start of the League."

THE HAT-TRICK FROM GONÇALO RAMOS

"Gonçalo [Ramos] played very well, just like all the others, he scored three goals and could have scored more. He likes to play in a more central position in the attack, is physically strong and has a lot of presence in the area and clarity. He was important tonight. Benfica has many good players."

NERES, ENZO, FLORENTINO AND THE COLLECTIVE PLAY AS KEY

"[Neres and Enzo] played at the highest level. Neres was fantastic and very important tonight, especially in the one-on-one, he won many duels, created several chances and provided the two assists for Gonçalo [Ramos]. He needed the pre-season to adapt and recover his fitness and rhythm, and today he showed all his potential for the first time... Enzo is only 21 years old and plays as if he had been in Benfica for many years. He was very good in the midfield with Florentino, who also played a great game. It was an excellent team game and that was the key, the collective play." 

DEMANDING CALENDAR

"It's going to be a test for the whole season [consecutive matches]. We will probably have several games a week and our job will be to make sure the players recover to be ready for the next one. It will be a challenge. We have a rich squad, there are always alternatives, and we won't complain. We want to play at the highest international level, in the Champions League, and the players are also getting used to this kind of calendar. A few years ago it was different, now clubs like Benfica are used to and prepared for this demand."