Roger Schmidt: "We trained well, the team is in good condition"

PREVIEW

Roger Schmidt December 16, the preview of the match against Moreirense, scheduled for 7:00 pm on Saturday at the Estadio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, for gameweek 3 of group C of the League Cup.

What kind of match do you foresee in the League Cup against Moreirense, the 1st ranked team in Liga 2?

It is a final in the group stage. Both teams won two games. We will play away against the 1st ranked team in the Liga 2, that could be competing in the League. It will be a difficult task, a final to go through to the knockout stage. This is one of the competitions we will try to win, and we must have an excellent attitude and performance. We trained well, the team is in good condition, some players are coming back, Nico [Otamendi] and Enzo are in the World Cup final, which makes us happy. The other players are back and we are ready to play and try to play next week at home [in the quarterfinals]. For that, we have to win. 

António Silva, João Mário and Gonçalo Ramos have just arrived after participating in the World Cup. Are they ready to play against Moreirense? Will you give them some minutes?

António Silva and Gonçalo Ramos are ready and have no complaints. João Mário has a small problem with his foot, which he had before and during the World Cup. We have to be careful, he hasn't trained yet. We will see how it goes today [Friday], but the other two players are ready.

GONÇALO RAMOS' GOALS IN THE WORLD CUP

Some players have already returned after participating in the World Cup. Enzo and Gonçalo Ramos had excellent performances in the competition and have been linked to other clubs. For you, as a coach, for Benfica, how important is it to keep these players in the squad until the end of the season?

You forgot Nico [Otamendi] when you talked about the Benfica players who have been performing well in the World Cup. He has been fantastic and is one of the reasons why Argentina is in the final. Enzo and Gonçalo Ramos have confirmed what they have done at Benfica, the fantastic season they are having. They are two very young players, who have taken on great responsibility at Benfica. Having this confidence in the World Cup and playing at a good level... they did it! They didn't begin as starters, but Enzo in the second game had the opportunity, and he took it, showing how important he can be in a great team like Argentina. Gonçalo Ramos had to wait a little longer and also had his chance, he scored three excellent goals. They were not normal goals, they were top goals! This shows that they have great confidence and quality. We are happy for that, for their performances, but they are also happy to play at Benfica. We need players like them to achieve our goals. We want to be national champions, we have big goals for this season, and we are happy that they are playing at a high level.

You were considered the best coach of the month in August and in October/November. Do you intend to extend your contract with Benfica? Are you thinking about it?

I've already been asked that question. What I said [about the awards] is good, but it's a consequence of the players' performance, of what they do on the pitch, it has to do with the moment and the dynamic. We must work to achieve the Club's objectives and that is to win trophies. I have one more year and a half of contract, I feel very happy in Benfica, I will stay at least this year and a half, maybe I will stay longer, but there is no pressure to extend the contract. First, I want to demonstrate that I am good enough for Benfica.