Roger Schmidt: "I can't reproach my players at all"

POST-MATCH

Analyzing the match of matchday 13 of the Liga Betclic, Benfica's home match against Farense, Roger Schmidt praised the work, mentality and attitude of the players. Despite numerous chances to score, the match ended in a draw (1-1).

"A FANTASTIC GAME" TRANSLATED INTO JUST ONE GOAL

"Thirty-six shots, and it wasn't enough... My players played a very good game. Fantastic, in fact. We were able to create a lot of chances throughout the game. It started in the 15th minute and ended in the 97th minute. The game was one great opportunity after another. We played very good football, we were able to play against a very well-organized team defensively, with good football, and we were always able to attack in the box to create clear chances and a lot of shots in the box. I think we did everything very well. Football is like that sometimes. The first half could have decided the game, but sometimes you have to be patient. We stayed patient and kept going in the second half, even after conceding the goal. In my opinion, we continued very well, we reacted very well, we equalized, 1-1, and then we had many chances to win the game. I can't reproach my players at all. They played a fantastic game, perhaps one of their best this season, and showed a very good mentality and attitude right to the end. Unfortunately, we weren't able to win the game. A draw was almost impossible today, but we did it."

THE CHOICES AFTER THE BREAK

"We created chances throughout the game. At some point, you have to take more risks and bring more attacking players onto the pitch. We tried everything and the players who came on were very good. Today is like a defeat. We only scored one goal. That's the story of the game."

THE TWO SIDES OF THE FANS

"What happened in the stands, the circumstances today... I want to thank the fans who supported us in a very good way today. Many in the stadium appreciated what the players did. The players fought until the last second. And to the others, the negative [fans]... please stay at home. I ask that favor, because it's not good for the team. If today, as Benfica fans, you're not happy with what the players have done, you'd better stay at home. We can't play better football, we can't fight harder than we did today, we can't be more of a team than we were today, so if you're not happy with this Benfica team, please stay at home, because we can't do any better. And if you're not able to support the team when the players put as much effort into the game as they did today, you'd better stay at home and maybe come back when we're champions, to celebrate with us at the Marquês de Pombal. Doing what they're doing is self-destructive. You can't do that if the players give everything on the pitch... You're not respecting the players, you're not respecting the coach, and you're not respecting Benfica. If you're not doing anything, you'd better stay at home. That's my opinion, that's how I felt today. I'll think about what happened today. And, to be honest, if I'm the problem, if Benfica needs a coach who makes the substitutions that the fans want him to make, there's no problem, I'll leave and someone else can come in to replace me, maybe better than the last one. If I'm the problem, I'll make room for someone better than me. I always say 'I have to be a good manager because it's a great club'. If I'm not good enough, I'll leave. It's very easy, and it's something I'll think about. This is what's on my mind after this game... Once again, I'd like to say big congratulations to the players, they did a great job and deserved to be recognized by the whole stadium, but they didn't get it."