“We have to give everything for this jersey”

INTERVIEW

With their sights set on the next friendly match, against Almería, this Sunday, July 21, in Thonon-les-Bains, Benfica continue their preparation work for the new season.

Speaking to the club media, Tomás Araújo looked ahead to the game against the Spanish side - scheduled to kick off at 3.30 pm local time (2.30 pm in mainland Portugal) - and assessed the Reds' pre-season.

"We know it's going to be a very difficult test, another preparation match. The training week has been very intense, the coach has given us a good load in training, but the quality has also been at the same level as the intensity, so I think we're going to give a good response, and it's another good test for us to develop", claimed the center-back.

The Reds' third pre-season match will take place in a border area between France and Switzerland, a privileged location for many Portuguese emigrants to watch and support the team. The importance of the Benfica fans' support was highlighted by the Made in Benfica defender.

"As always. When we play away, we always feel like we're playing at home. The support of the Benfica fans is incredible. And I'm sure it will be like that again on Sunday," he said.

At this stage, the intensity and pace of the pre-season are increasing, but there's nothing to frighten the new faces in the squad, who are settling in well with the group led by Roger Schmidt, as Tomás Araújo showed: "It's been going well. They're quality people who also like to work hard. And they've come to a place where that's the pinnacle of football, so I think they're settling in well and have all the conditions to succeed".

With many competitions to play in 2024/25, the season starts now, and Tomás Araújo points the way. "Our squad is very large and has a lot of quality, so we have to give everything for this jersey, and we know that when we represent Benfica, we have to win, the goal is to win. Of course we respect all our opponents, but we're going to make our way, and we hope to win a lot this season,"he said.

Familiar with Roger Schmidt's methods, a coach who attaches great importance to the construction of the game and the way the central midfielder plays, ideals that benefit Tomás Araújo's strengths, the young central defender wants to work hard to prove his worth.

"I have to prove my worth in training and in matches when I'm called upon, and then we'll see, path by path, step by step. When we see Tomás as a player, this is one of the most central aspects in my constitution, and without a doubt having a coach who enhances this at the highest level is very good for me", he stressed.

After the friendly with Almería, there are two games at the Estadio da Luz against Brentford, on July 25 (8 pm), and against Feyenoord, the opponent in the Eusébio Cup, scheduled for July 28, at 8 pm.

Tomás Araújo recognizes that the team can't wait to get home. "It's been two months without our fans, and we're going to feel as loved as ever when we play there, with a lot of support, and it's always good, they're our 12th man, and one more step towards victory is having our fans on our side."