"Full focus on what we have to do"

STATEMENTS

This Tuesday, July 11, President Rui Costa joined the SL Benfica delegation in England. Focused on the work to be done at this stage of pre-season, the Club's chairman spoke to the media upon arrival at St. George's Park.

For Rui Costa, defending the national title is one of the objectives outlined. "I know that the training camp is going well. I expect from this training camp what we did last year and started here: full focus on what we have to do", claimed the President.

"We know the importance of this training camp for the unity of the group, but above all total focus on the objective of the year, to fight for 39th league title and here is the starting point", he added. "More than the training camp, it's the way we worked last year that has to be the same", he pointed out.

With the squad under construction, Di María is one of the new faces. "I felt him with an immense happiness, like at his presentation. He's very happy, very keen to start and that's one of the most beautiful things to see in a player returning home, especially for the career he has achieved over the years. It's something exciting for all of us", he assessed.

"We will start from scratch, like all our direct opponents. It's going to be an extraordinary championship. Surely our opponents have the same ambitions as us", he underlined.

"There are no favorites. It's easier for [Benfica] to be the main target because they go in as National Champions, but what's in the past is in the past. It's going to be a more difficult Championship than last year. We have to prepare the season in the best way, and we have to focus on this season, leave behind what we have done", he said. 

The market remains open, Rui Costa acknowledged that there are proposals for several athletes, worthy of analysis, and said that Rafa's situation will be treated with "respect". "Rafa is one of the players with the most years at Benfica and the one who has given the most to the Club. He deserves all our respect", he said.

The President also spoke about João Félix... "Who wouldn't want to see João Félix at Benfica? He is an excellent player, a fantastic human being. He's a kid who grew up with us, one of ours, but right now he's a player for Atlético Madrid. Like all our boys, as we call them, we wish him the best in the world. He deserves all the best", he stressed.  

As for Roger Schmidt, there is total harmony with the structure. "Roger Schmidt has a lot of confidence in what the Club does and, above all, we work together. We always go hand in hand in building the squad. I know what Roger Schmidt wants, and Roger Schmidt knows what the Club needs. This is how we aim to achieve success, and the main part of success, in addition to what has already been mentioned, is the focus on the 39th league title", he claimed.