Roger Schmidt: "The players tried everything to win"

POST-MATCH

Roger Schmidt stressed that "there is nothing to point out to the players" of Benfica in this Monday's defeat, August 14, against Boavista, by 3-2. The match of the 1st round of the Liga Betclic was played at Estádio do Bessa. 

HISTORY OF THE GAME

"We expected a difficult game. The opponent was very motivated, especially at the beginning, when there were many fouls and little football on the pitch. Still, we managed to score the 0-1. We had a red card at the start of the second half, and then we conceded 1-1 from a free kick. Still, our challenge was to try to win the game. The players were very good, we believed in ourselves. Even with 10 players, we controlled the game and created chances. We scored the second goal, a very good goal, and it looked like we could win the game. Boavista weren't able to create many dangerous moments. Sometimes football is like that, a long ball, lack of communication in defense and they got a penalty. Even so, we tried everything after Boavista's second goal to win the game. We had some great chances, like Neres' shot [hitting the bar]. We were already disappointed with a point, but in the end we weren't organized perfectly in defense and conceded the third goal on the counter-attack. That's football, we have to accept that. However, there is nothing to say to the players, they tried everything to win. I'm disappointed with the result, but not with the display. We have to look ahead to Saturday [against Estrela da Amadora on matchday 2 of the league]."

BEST AND WORST ASPECTS

"To be honest, I was very happy with the way my players reacted. We played a great game with 10 players. We showed a good attitude after the red card. We believed in ourselves, we played good soccer, we were brave to attack and press high with 10 players, and that was something I appreciated. In the first half, we could have been better in possession, we lost too many balls unnecessarily and we didn't have enough patience. We could have done that better in the first half, but it wasn't easy because the opponent played well and was aggressive." 

SUBSTITUTION OF DI MARÍA FOR MORATO

"We were winning 0-1 and we had 10 players. I had to change something, we were still in a good position and if we didn't concede we'd win the game. In fact, with one more central defender, you'd think we'd defend free-kicks better, but it was a low cross, it took a deflection and in the end it was a goal [1-1]. And also to change the formation a bit. Playing with three defenders in the middle and two wingers to attack on the flanks. We had to take off a player to do that, and Di María had already played a very tough game on Wednesday and gave everything. We needed three players in midfield who could work hard physically and tactically and Rafa as a central striker. That was the idea."

TRUBIN AND ARTHUR CABRAL OUT

"They weren't ready for today because they only worked with the team for one or two days, so we left them out. But now we have another week to integrate them and for them to get to know their teammates and the style of play."