Roger Schmidt: "We must maintain this level"

PREVIEW

Continue displaying the football shown so far this season was the goal outlined by Roger Schmidt, Benfica's coach, in the preview of the match against Chaves, from matchday 11 of Liga Bwin. 

What are your expectations for the game against Chaves, not only about the difficulties you will face but also after the great game the team played against Juventus? Was it difficult to put the focus back on the National Championship?

I think it was not difficult, because we are already used to playing in the Champions League and the National Championship. Of course, change is always a test. We will play against a good team, Chaves has already shown this season that they are a brave team, very good at attacking, they have already played good games away from home, not only for having won away against Sporting and Braga, but that says it all. We are prepared for a difficult game. Our team is also confident after a special game against Juventus. This fifth game in the Champions League group stage was crucial, against a Juventus team that tried everything to have a chance to play in the next stage of the competition. We played a high-level game, and we showed all our potential, with quality football, tactically speaking. We were intelligent and very focused. For us, now, it is an obligation to maintain this level. We have two more weeks, before a short break for the World Cup, and we want to show that we are at a high level and play our best football. This is our goal for the match against Chaves and for the next two weeks.

When you arrived at Lisbon, when asked why you chose Benfica, you said that those who love football love Benfica. Now that you know the Club from the inside, can you describe that feeling?

In fact, when I arrived at the airport, I already had that feeling. I didn't know the Club as well as I do today, but that was already my feeling - especially when I talked to Rui Costa and Lourenço Coelho - that Benfica was the right place to be a coach, so I said that. Now I know the club, the people and especially the culture better. It is a great club, fantastic, there is a lot of passion, love, quality, and knowledge. If you watch matches like Tuesday's [against Juventus], you see the atmosphere in the stadium, the passion of the fans. We want to be part of that, I know Benfica better. I am very happy that I already had this feeling before I signed my contract.

Do you intend to improve the team when the transfer market reopens in January? Are you looking for other players or are you happy with what you have at your disposal?

Both things. I am very happy with my team, but in football, you are always on the lookout for the possibility of improving the squad. In winter it's a little different since there are few changes, but if a good opportunity comes up we have to consider it. It's not crucial for us, because we have a good, balanced team, but we are still in the beginning. Something may happen, or it may not. It is always like that. We have an obligation, just like the other clubs, to think about it.

In Spain there is talk about the possibility of João Félix coming to Benfica in January. Are you open to a possible return of the Portuguese international?

[Laughs] If it's possible, he's welcome. He is a great player, who played only a few months in Benfica's first team.I like him a lot, but honestly I don't think that possibility is very realistic. He was transferred for a lot of money, so I think it might be impossible now. If it were possible, he would be welcome.