Roger Schmidt: "We played a solid game"

POST-MATCH

Roger Schmidt analyzed Benfica's win over Arouca, by 0-2, this Tuesday night, October 31, at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca, on matchday 2 of Group B of the 3rd stage of the League Cup. 

BEST POSSIBLE DISPLAY

"We played a good game on a difficult pitch. We played on Saturday and the players did well. We played differently in training. We played the best football we could. We created chances, we scored at the right times. We could have made it easier by being more effective, we had some great chances in the first half and also in the second. We also always have to respect our opponents. Arouca tried everything to win the game, because if they did they would have qualified for the knockout stage, but in the end it was a solid game. The players did well, and that's why I'm happy and satisfied. Now we're in a good position in this competition."

THREE CENTER-BACKS: TACTICAL CHANGE

"As we've seen in recent weeks, we have some injuries, some players aren't at their best. We've always played the same formation, but at the moment we have the problem that Alex Bah isn't available, the two left-backs [Juan Bernat and Jurásek] are coming back from injury, they're not at their best. Other players are in very good form, like Morato. I have five top central defenders. If we always play with a line of four, only two can play. Morato is a player of great quality, Nico Otamendi and António [Silva] too, so if they always play, it won't be easy for him to get minutes. We've tried to be flexible in these weeks. They were good tactically, we played well defensively, we didn't concede, Morato played very well and, in the end, we showed that we can play good football in this formation too. It's something we can use in the future. We'll see, it always depends on the availability of the players. These are the two possibilities."

THE VALUE OF VICTORY

"It was very important to win, especially in this competition, with three teams in a group. After Arouca won the first game, it was clear that we had to win today. The real value is that we got three points. The first game is also an affirmation of what we want to do in the competition." 

OFFENSIVE SUBSTITUTIONS

"Ángel [Di María] is coming back from injury, Gonçalo [Guedes] too. Rafa played an intense game on Saturday [against Casa Pia], there were only two days off. We traveled to Arouca, a very soft pitch, not easy to play on. We have a good bench, we were able to use it at the right time and the other players were able to rest a bit. With the substitutions, we gained new energy. It's also great for us that Arthur [Cabral] scored again."

GONÇALO GUEDES' RECOVERY

"I'm also happy with players like Gonçalo [Guedes], because he's coming back from injury. It's been a long road for him to be ready again, he's already played in the Cup, in the Azores [against Lusitânia], half the game, and 60 minutes today. He showed his quality, he's a player with physical power and footballing quality, but he's also very good at timing his tackles, asking for the ball at the right times. If he plays more and the players get used to him, he could be a very good option for us up front. He's a player with experience at the highest level, we have to develop him. At the moment, he's not at his maximum level, that's impossible, but we're very happy that he's back on the pitch."