"The pre-season match doesn't matter at all"

PREVIEW

Assuming he was “very excited” for the match against Feyenoord - scheduled for 8 pm on Wednesday, October 23, at the Estádio da Luz –, Aursnes praised the Reds' focus on the game from matchday 3 of the Champions League.

How important is this game for you? For the team, what do you know about having a position in the select group of teams leading the Champions League at this stage?

I'm very excited about the game against my former club. Of course it's going to be a tough game, because they're a good team, I know how good they can be. We've had a good start, but it's only been two games. There are six more games to play, so we're concentrating on tomorrow's game [Wednesday, October 23] and doing what we can.

In pre-season, you played against Feyenoord, it was an easy win. What are your impressions of Feyenoord at the moment?

We're not thinking about that game now, it was a friendly, and tomorrow [Wednesday, October 23] will be for the Champions League. It will be totally different.

Since Bruno Lage returned, Benfica have won every game. What do you think explains that?

I think we're doing well, he [Bruno Lage] has brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm. The style of play he wants us to play fits us very well. He's very clear and honest about how he wants to play, and that makes it much easier for us players to understand him and apply it on the pitch, and we all know what direction we're heading in.

You play with Kökcü in midfield. Is it easier for both of you because you know him from your time together at Feyenoord?

Maybe a little, but I knew him before, and now I've been playing with him since last season. I know what a good player he is, his qualities, but I think the players here at Benfica know his qualities too. When you're a good player, it's easy to play, and we adapt to each other. Maybe it helped me a bit at first, but now everyone understands.

Can you tell us how you've developed as a player over the last two years? Will Feyenoord fans see a different and better Aursnes than they did a few years ago?

I hope so, I feel I've gained a lot of experience at a very high level here. When I went to Feyenoord, I'd only played in Norway, it was my first time abroad, so I hope I'm a bit more experienced. Playing at a very high level, of course, you improve, playing with better players and against better opponents, so I hope you've been growing since then. 

Do you currently feel more comfortable playing in midfield? Did you find it strange playing in several different positions last season?

I'm comfortable in the position I'm playing, it's the one I've played the most in my career. Compared to last season, I was always open to playing everywhere, and I still am. I'm open to playing in any position. If the coach asks me to play there, I'll play. Last season, it wasn't strange or a problem for me. The coach wanted me to play [in different positions], and that's what I did. I tried to do my best.