"Unhappy with the result, proud of the team's mentality"

POST-MATCH

Roger Schmidt, the Benfica coach, analyzed the match against Salzburg, on matchday 1 of the Champions League Group D. Despite the defeat at Luz (0-2), the coach was pleased with the team's performance, quality and belief, something he believes will bear very positive fruit. 

TOP MENTALITY AND PERFORMANCE

"It was a very difficult game, with a very difficult start. Two penalties, a red card, a goal conceded... at this level, in the Champions League, playing with 10 players for 80 minutes, down 0-1, is a difficult situation. The team's reaction was fantastic! We showed a great attitude, a lot of quality, with and without the ball, we pressed, we dominated and, even with 10 players, we created many clear chances. We showed great mentality and always believed that we could win this game. We wasted chances, we hit the post, but I also think we should have had a penalty, it was a clear handball, but the referee wasn't on our side... and there was also a red card for number 6 [Samson Baidoo]. There were a lot of things against us today, and 0-2 was Salzburg's second chance of the game. We're very unhappy with this result, we believed until the end, I'm very proud, my players gave everything on the pitch. That's soccer. We have to accept that. That was the story of the game, and today wasn't our day to score goals, but the mentality and performance of the players was top-notch."

ANTÓNIO SILVA IS AN EXAMPLE OF MATURITY

"António [Silva] apologized for the red card at the end of the game, but it wasn't really necessary because he didn't do it on purpose. He made a mistake, it happens in football and it's not a problem. He has the attitude, the mindset, the maturity, he works hard to develop, and this red card won't be a problem."

GROW UP AND FEEL BENFICA

"Trubin made a wrong decision at the start, he gave away a penalty, it wasn't an easy game, but he did well, he stayed calm, he waited for the right moment and, at this level, with this pressure, he showed great mentality.He did his best. Every game will help him develop, get used to the game and feel for Benfica. The fans are demanding, it's Benfica, but I believe he'll get stronger game after game."

ALWAYS HONOR THE CREST!

"We always try, on the pitch, to show good football and have a mentality in which our fans know that we always give everything to win for Benfica. That's what I saw, that's what I felt on the pitch, and that's what our fans saw and felt. I believe they liked the players' display and that's why they applauded as they deserved. It was good, because the players were discouraged, because we know it's always important to win the first game at this stage. Now we have a difficult test, but this is soccer, we have to look forward, accept some situations and show character and quality."