"Take the opportunity to make everyone around Benfica happy"

PREVIEW

Benfica returns to competition, after the international break, when they host Chaves at 6 pm this Friday, March 29, at the Estádio da Luz, on matchday 27 of the Liga Betclic. 

What was it like preparing for the game against Chaves without the players who were on international duty?

It was a typical international break, some players were with their teams, and I think it was a good opportunity for us to get some rest and then get back to training. We did very well, and we're happy to be playing again. Playing at home after a break for the national teams is always a good place to start. The national team players all came back in good shape, a bit tired, but with no injuries. I'm happy about that, it's always what I fear most, injuries. We're in good shape, the first game is always demanding, but we're ready for it. The decisive phase of the season is starting, and everything we've done in the last eight or nine months of this season has been to be ready for these weeks. We have six or seven weeks to play, we're still in three competitions, and it is a special time. When at the end of March you can still win three trophies, it's a very good season. It's up to us to use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate our top level in everything. That way, anything is possible. We're looking forward to it. For tomorrow [Friday, March 29], with Chaves, we know it's always difficult to play against this team. They're in danger of being relegated, they've got nothing to lose at our stadium. They're a good team, they've got a good coach, and we've got to solve this task.

How did you feel after the Club's 120th anniversary ceremony?

On Tuesday [March 26], the Gala was spectacular. It always gives you a sense of how big the club is, how much love and passion there is. I always appreciate seeing that and how Benfica treats its history, former players and everything else. It's always special, and I'm very happy to be a part of it. We want to take the opportunity to make everyone around Benfica and at Benfica happy.

Do you consider the possibility of Otamendi and Di María being spared for the game with Chaves, ahead of the two matches with Sporting? Is Bah fit?

Of course they could rest. The question is: "Would it be good for them to rest?" Both players like to play consistently and with pace. Sometimes they need a rest, as I've given Ángel [Di María] a few times when he's played a lot of games in a row, and we had big games coming up. Sometimes it's smart to keep them out, but they're both key players for us, and they've been performing at a top level all season. I always have to make a decision about what's best for us and the players. Are they fit to play at this pace? They've shown it over the last 15 years. Are they fit after the national team games to return to the club and play again? They've shown that over the last 15 years, too. I have no doubt that they'll be ready to play tomorrow [Friday]. Alex Bah is fine, we still have a few problems with load management, he had a problem, and we want to be careful that he doesn't have it again. He's fine at the moment, it was good not to play for the national team, he's back in training, and we've tried to give him a rest at the right time. He's ready to play. 

In the last league game, I said that a player who does what Kökcü did can't be with the team. Have you spoken to him now? Can we expect him to be in the team for the game against Chaves?

TAs I said at the time of the match against Casa Pia [matchday 26], my concern was to focus on the game. With this interview, it was better to leave him out of it. He came back today [Thursday], we talked about it and, in fact, it was exactly what I expected. It wasn't his intention to create this noise and negativity around our team. I said before and after the game with Casa Pia that I'm completely convinced by him as a player, in terms of quality, and also his character. He made a mistake, this interview wasn't good for anyone. For us, for him and Benfica, it wasn't good, that's very clear. Now we have to deal with it. Even when players make mistakes, they're still my players, and sometimes I have to support them in difficult moments. That's what we have to do, we've talked about it, and now it's time to talk about it on the pitch. It's time for all of us, not just him, to show a very good mentality and performance on the pitch. Everything that isn't good for us, that might take our focus away, has to be left out. We've resolved this situation internally, and it's time to look forward. He'll be back in the team tomorrow [Friday]. 

As for Juan Bernat, who was seen in training, will he be recovered by the end of the season to make his contribution?

All of us, and he, expected a different season. He's a very experienced player. Unfortunately, he came down with a small injury, but he recovered and played a few minutes for us, in five or six games. Not full games, but a few minutes. Since the end of October, he's been injured for five months. I don't think it's time to think too much about next season, we have to think about this season. He's working hard to get back on the pitch. He returned to training with the team this week, the first time in five months, he's back, and we hope that he stabilizes with the load, the football load, and, of course, that he has an impact in the last six or seven weeks. At the moment, this is his situation. He's on a good path, and we hope he'll have a good impact at the end of the season.