"We're happy to have qualified"

POST-MATCH

In French soil, against Toulouse, Benfica sealed their qualification for the round of 16 of the Europa League, with a 2-1 aggregate in the two play-off matches in the knockout phase of the competition. 

MATCH ANALYSIS

"It was a very difficult game, a typical second leg of a Europa League knockout, a decisive match for both teams. After this game, one team would be out of the European competition. We did well in the first half and had two or three great chances to score the first goal, which was our goal.  We missed those chances, and during the first half, Toulouse showed their intentions. In the second half, they took more risks and put us under pressure. We had to defend close to the box, on the edge of the box, on long balls, at various times. We needed a very good goalkeeper. In the second half, we tried to find our moments in transition, but we didn't score, and we had to fight to the end and defend very well. It was a tough game, we're happy to have qualified for the next round, against a tough opponent who did very well."

FIGHT AND SHOW SPIRIT TO SUCCEED

"Honestly, I respect Toulouse a lot. Especially in international matches, they've shown themselves to be very difficult opponents. They already showed that in the group stage. In European games, away from home, I don't expect us to win easily. It's always difficult. There are different tasks in football. When you miss a few chances like in the first half, the task is to defend well, work and fight. That's what we did. It's not just a question of tactics or the beauty of the game. Sometimes you have to fight in football, show spirit and, in the end, succeed. That's what we did today."

DEFENDING WELL AGAINST RIVALS WHO TOOK RISKS

"[Morato and Álvaro Carreras] They have already played very well in this position [left-back]. They had some problems today [Thursday, February 22], also because of the opposition. When they play with wingers and full-backs and change the way they play, they create two-on-one situations. Sometimes we could have supported our full-backs better, and in general we had to solve a lot of problems in the final third, but that's part of it, especially when the opposition takes risks like they did today."