Roger Schmidt: "We want the Europa League"

PREVIEW

In his preview of Benfica-Inter Milan this Wednesday, November 29, Roger Schmidt revealed that the games in the previous four rounds of the Champions League are now in the past and guaranteed that the team's ambition is to play well and win three points, with a view to qualifying for the Europa League. 

Do you expect a different Inter in this game, given that they've already secured qualification? How does Benfica approach this moment of transition between the Portuguese Cup and the Champions League?

they've qualified for the knockout stage, there's a big difference between being 1st or 2nd in the group. They still have ambitions and goals in the Champions League, but in the end we try to focus completely on ourselves. We're not happy with the situation in the group stage and of course tomorrow [Wednesday] we have a chance to win a big game against Inter. For me, they're one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. They were already that last season and this season they've shown the same performance, physical football, and tactical intelligence. They're definitely a team that can go far in the Champions League. It's a great opportunity for us to build on the last two games. We had a good game at home against Sporting, in a big game in the Portuguese league, and we did well in the Cup too. We've gained confidence and tomorrow [Wednesday] we want to take another step. Play a good game of football and try to win the game.

What is the reason for the difference in performance between last season's Champions League and this year's?

I've explained it a few times. We lost Grimaldo, [Gonçalo] Ramos and Enzo Fernández, don't forget him. Our new players needed some time to settle in, we had a few injuries and, in our first Champions League match, we had a red card and a penalty in the eighth minute. It wasn't the perfect start to the competition, and then each game had its own story. But that's in the past now. We don't have to think about that anymore, because at the highest level, small mistakes can be decisive and in six group games a situation like the one we're in right now can happen. Now we have to focus on tomorrow's game [Wednesday] and on playing well and winning. We don't have to think too much about our situation in the group. Of course we want to qualify for the Europa League. If we can't play in the Champions League, the second option is to play in the Europa League. The previous four games are history.

Looking at Benfica's matches with Inter Milan, they have always been decided by details. What should your team do to win the game?

It was an even first half at Inter's home ground, with few chances for either side. Perhaps the best chances were on our side. After the break, they played with more intensity and we were a bit unlucky. We had to make three substitutions due to injuries, with Bah, Angel [Di María] and Kökcü. Of course, it wasn't the perfect game. They showed, at home, their quality to decide these games 1-0. Sometimes you have to accept that, in their best form, an opponent can win against you, it's not a shame. Tomorrow [Wednesday], it's a different game, in our stadium, and we have another chance to play against them. In a short period, we've already done it three times. Our aim is to learn from games, do better and win the game. Of course, it's always difficult to beat Inter, just look at the results they've achieved. At the moment, it's difficult to score against them because they're very compact and disciplined. Our aim is to use each game to develop and use our experience to be stronger in the details, because at this level they are decisive. It was like that in the game against Inter in Milan, and tomorrow [Wednesday] will be exactly the same.

In recent matches, you have used three different strikers. At this point, and after a good part of the season, what does each of them lack to become an undisputed starter?

If you're a striker for Benfica, you need the whole package. You have to be tactically intelligent, give everything in training to adapt to our style of play, you have to know how to press and play well without the ball, because we play proactive and aggressive football. With the ball, he has to show quality in his combinations and have a presence in the box. TWe have three strikers and, in my opinion, they all have room for progression and can improve. I try to give them all opportunities, whether in Champions League, cup or league matches. I also analyze their behavior and progress in training and, in my opinion, Casper [Tengstedt] has been doing very well over the last two weeks. He's made a lot of progress since arriving at Benfica in January and has taken a big step forward. I'm very pleased with his performances, because he's been involved in everything I explained earlier. That's the best argument to defend his position. If he's playing well and remains reliable, he has the chance to start more consistently and become first choice in attack. But we have to think step by step, because they all have to improve.

Tengstedt arrived at Benfica in January and has been showing positive signs. Do the changes in attack make it difficult for the players to acquire the team dynamics?

No. Gonçalo Ramos was the striker who played almost all the time last season because he was used to everything. He played well with and without the ball, and that's why a club paid a lot of money for him. Now we have other strikers, and they need some time to play at the same level. In the end, it's up to them to show it and develop. For me, it's important to find the right balance for the team. We have some other changes, not just in attack. If we had the same team as last season, it would also be easier for the forwards, because everything was more balanced. Now we have to figure out how to play the same football with different players, and the forwards have to adapt too. It's up to them to show that.