"We'll go game by game, focused on winning"

PREVIEW

In his preview of Benfica's match against Atlético de Madrid, on matchday 2 of the Champions League, Álvaro Carreras mentioned that the attacking football developed by Bruno Lage is one of the weapons to counter the style of play of the colchoneros, their rivals this Wednesday, October 2, at 8 pm, at Estádio da Luz.

Atlético Madrid usually play to their strengths. How can Benfica exploit their strengths, transforming the concept of the game?

We know that Atlético are very attacking but, thinking about us, we know that we can play through the flanks, and I can be further forward, or the left-back can be deeper and connect between the attacking players.

You've been much more prominent this season, after a first season in which you weren't first choice. How have you felt in the starting role? Do you feel you've finally found your place in the team?

You always have to be prepared for the decisions the coach makes. You have to keep training, and in the game be able to show what each of you can add positively to the team.

Benfica have won four games in a row under coach Bruno Lage. What do you feel has changed over the last four games? What's different? And what changes do you see in the game?

I think you can see even on the pitch that we're more offensive, deeper, we've returned to the culture of the club, of what it means to be Benfica. By being more offensive, we're going to score more goals, and that's how you get the three points.

Has one of the new coach's roles been to unite the squad more than under Roger Schmidt?

Everyone has their own football philosophy, but with the new coach we're getting back to the football culture, which is to play deep and offensively, going straight for the goal, which is what keeps us picking up the three points and winning matches.

What do you think a good performance in the Champions League means for a club the size of Benfica?

We'll take it game by game. We have a very important game tomorrow [Wednesday, October 2] in the Champions League, then we have to get back to the league, which we're also very focused on. We'll take it game by game, focused on winning.

You now face Atlético de Madrid, one of the best teams in Spain. Do you expect Luis de la Fuente [Spain's coach] to pay attention to this game, and do you feel that it's these games that can take you to the next level in the Spanish national team?

I always see the national team as a reward. I'm proud to be in the Under-21s. You never know, but the possibility is always there.