Roger Schmidt: "We decided the match at the right time"

POST-MATCH

Roger Schmidt expressed his satisfaction at Benfica's 1-4 victory over Lusitânia on Friday afternoon, October 20, at the Estádio João Paulo II, in the 3rd round of the Portuguese Cup. 

POSITIVE CONCLUSIONS FROM A UNIQUE CLASH

"We won the game, it was our first step in this competition. We're happy to have won, that's the most important thing in the Cup, because if we don't, we're out of the competition. It was a special game in the Azores, a long trip, special weather, the pitch was very slippery. It wasn't easy to play, but in the end both teams did well. As always, clubs from lower divisions give everything, very motivated. The opposition were very good, with good quality football. It's always easier if you score early. It wasn't necessary to concede the penalty, because the opposition came back into the game a bit. When we went in at 1-2, the score was tighter, but when we came back we decided the game at the right time and won it. I'm happy that Arthur [Cabral] and Tiago Gouveia scored their first goals for Benfica. There were a lot of good things today, and the defense was fantastic. I think we did well, we won the game, and that's the most important thing."

OMNIPRESENT "BENFIQUISMO"

"It was very special because I didn't know what to expect here in the Azores. I was surprised to see a lot of Benfica fans, a great atmosphere. To fly three hours to an away game in the Cup and see thousands of Benfica fans is fantastic. It's something very special. I've been to different countries as a coach, and Benfica is a special club. The atmosphere at the Estádio da Luz is fantastic, but at away games it's often like a home game, with so many Benfica fans always supporting and happy to see the players. Maybe it's not unique, but it's very special. We appreciate the support and it's a great motivation to play good football and give the fans the feeling that the players always give everything to win the games. We really appreciate them always being there."

RISE OF JOÃO NEVES

"He was a surprise last season, now I know him a little better. From the first day he started training with the first team, you could see that he was a very special player, very complete. Top class technically, very intelligent, physical, despite being small, very good at winning balls and duels, even in the air, but the most extraordinary thing is the quality of his football. It's a great example of how Benfica's youth players can develop. It shows that Benfica is a club that buys players, but is also capable of developing young players in the academy. That's one of the special things about Benfica, having players who come from the academy who are as special as João Neves."

ARTHUR CABRAL'S FIRST GOAL

"Arthur arrived after pre-season, he needed more time, and he's had some good moments. He's had chances but hasn't scored. Strikers need confidence, so it was very important for him to score today. It was a good goal. It wasn't easy for him, a very physical player, on a slippery pitch. Sometimes the first goal is the hardest. Sometimes you score right from the start when you're at a new club. That wasn't the case, he had to wait a while and of course there's some pressure on him. It was very good for his confidence and for us as a whole, because he's a very good player and person. It gives him a lot of energy for the coming weeks. He's trying to improve every day, very motivated in training. I think he'll score more goals."

EYES ON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

"It's a completely different game [against Real Sociedad on Tuesday]. Every game in the group stage is a final, especially when you've lost the first two. Of course it's more difficult. Now we're playing at home, we know where we stand. We're completely focused and want to change the momentum."