Roger Schmidt: "We are ready to play well and win"

PREVIEW

Benfica visits Sporting at 8:30 pm on Sunday, May 21, in a potentially decisive derby in the Liga Bwin title race. Focused on what he can control, Roger Schmidt previewed a "dificult" match, against a"quality opponent". 

The Lisbon derby is a match full of emotions. How do you see tomorrow's [Sunday] game?

We have worked hard this season for our goals, and we are focused on ourselves. If we win on Sunday, we are champions and that is a great motivation. We know that the game will be very difficult. Sporting is a top team. They have individual quality, creativity, speed, a clear tactical approach, and a great coach. We have been playing great football in recent weeks, but we respect the opponent and are completely focused on the 90'. We believe a lot in ourselves. We are ready to play well and win the game.

Benfica hasn't been champion in Alvalade for 48 years. What would it mean to be champion in a rival's stadium in your first season in Portugal?

It is of no importance and is just a coincidence. To me, it doesn't matter where we become champions. It's a coincidence that we have this game on matchday 33. The only thing we are focused on is becoming champions.

Sporting's coach said that Benfica always plays the same way. Do you agree?

We always try to play our ideal football. Of course, we also always try to adjust to the opponent and their tactical approach, it always gives us different demands, but overall, we believe in our style of play. Lots of dynamics, lots of possession, lots of movement in transition, and high pressure. What we want is an intense game because we want to create as many opportunities as possible and give as little as possible to the opponents, because this is how we are more likely to win games. This is our conviction. I think we have done it very well this season, especially in the more difficult away games. We showed this attitude in the big games, whether internationally or in the Portuguese League. I think he [Rúben Amorim] is right, but I see a similar approach at Sporting.