Roger Schmidt: "We must focus on our plan"

PREVIEW

The passion of a derby does not inhibit the rationality of Roger Schmidt, who, in the preview of the Benfica-Sporting, match of matchday 16 of the Liga Bwin, scheduled for 6 pm on Sunday, January 15, at Estádio da Luz, made a point of underlining the need for the eagles to think, above all, about their "game" and the "plan" they have in the search for three more points. 

What do you expect from tomorrow's match against Sporting? What updates on the physical condition of Grimaldo and Rafa can you give?

I expect a top football match, against a very good opponent. It's a Lisbon derby, both teams play attacking football, always looking to play their style, so, for us, it doesn't matter much who the opponent is. I expect a tough game, but of course we want to win. It's very important for our situation in the league. Today, all the players were at training, there are no issues in terms of injuries, so everyone is available to play.

It's your first derby against Sporting, what does it mean to you? What do you expect from the referee [Artur Soares Dias]?

About the referee? I always hope that the referee officiates well, that he manages the game well. That's what I expect. The referees are doing a very good job in Portugal, I am surprised by the quality. As I said, it's the first time I've played this derby but, regardless of where we are, there are always derbies to play during the season, every league has these games. We just have to play good football, at our best level. We have to be at a high level and tomorrow that is a key aspect. We must focus on our game plan, be very disciplined and believe in ourselves. We know we can beat any team in our stadium.

Sporting coach Rúben Amorim has said that he will play with Ugarte and Pedro Gonçalves in midfield. What changes do you see in your opinion?

Nothing changes. I think Sporting have quality, very good quality in all positions. They play with attacking full-backs, who form a line of five defending, with players free to attack. I think we've played more against these types of formations this season, for example in the Champions League. Who plays in the center of midfield? Of course there are always differences in the players' characteristics, but for us, it's not very important. We don't put too much focus on that. We know the quality of the players, of the team, but we work, above all, on the details of our tactical behavior. But 90% is thinking about us, about our plan, our behavior with the ball, about transition moments. 

Benfica are comfortably top of the league, 12 points clear of Sporting, do you think that might influence the way the players approach the game?

If we want to be champions, we have to win a lot of points. It's very clear! We can't draw too much and we can't lose games. We have been doing well, but nothing is done. We have to keep up the level, keep winning games, in the end it doesn't matter against whom. We always have to fight for the points in every game. We want to have a top performance. We are still almost in the middle of the season, we don't think too much about the points, about the distances, we always think about how we can get the three points in the next game.

On Tengstedt and Schjelderup, can both players be options for the game? What do you expect from them?

I hope they develop well at Benfica. It's a big step for them, from a Scandinavian league to the Portuguese League, to a big club. They have great talent. They have had a six-week break, they are not in the best shape physically. Of course, they can't be part of the team for the next two or three weeks. They have to get used to the team and their teammates, to the style of play, build and raise their physical level so that when they are ready they can be part of the team.

Do you think a Benfica win would put Sporting out of the title race?

I don't know, it's matchday 16, so nothing is decided.