"We created the situations to win and we're fair winners"

POST-MATCH

Praising the players' ability to turn things around against Farense in the Portuguese Cup round of 16, Bruno Lage analyzed Benfica's 1-3 victory on Tuesday night, January 14, at the Estádio de São Luís.

SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT PRAISED

"Above all, I'd like to praise the spirit of the players, the spirit of achievement, because it's not every team that, after what we did three nights ago, winning a title, comes with the determination that we did. We conceded another goal from a set-piece, a moment we have to look back on because it's the second, but when I look at the game, the important thing to remember is that I'm sure we're rightful winners. We made a few adjustments in the 2nd half, trying to get Zeki [Amdouni] closer to Arthur [Cabral], Schjelderup and Fredrik [Aursnes] to come inside, and also talking to the players so they understand better how to play on this pitch, without the width we're used to. And I think that's what we did. In the first half, we always tried to do what our attacking dynamic is, but with little space, and Farense, from the start with their line of five, always blocked the spaces that we are strong at attacking. What we did best in the 2nd half was to figure out how to make our movements, but in different areas of the pitch, and we managed to find those spaces, we managed to create the situations to win, and we're fair winners."

A CHAMPION MENTALITY IN THE TEAM

"[Conversation with Arthur Cabral at half-time and with Otamendi at the end] I'll start there. That's the champion's mentality I want in the team. A champion's mentality. Not a winner's mentality, a champion's mentality. And a champion's mentality is what leads us to excellence. It's being ready to play, to perform, to always be available to play, because that's what we have to create, and it's the older players... and Nico [Otamendi] has that charisma, he has that mentality, and he has to help the younger players to have that mentality. We're well on the way to having it, we have a team with a spirit, as I said, a very good mentality, but we have to reach a level of excellence that will allow us to be even more fulfilled. As for the conversation, I can't say what I said, at least not in the tunnel, but I was assertive - I've already explained the tactical changes - and I told them this: 'Only a team of winners, two days after winning the title, has a play-off that could also give us another title.' It's true that we still have to play the next round against the winner of Braga-Lusitano de Évora, then semi-finals and then a final, but it's an important title, and winning gives us that chance to go on and win the title that Benfica hasn't won for some time now."

WIDER OPTIONS

"[Internal competitiveness] I understand your question, I think they're all taking steps forward. I'm not going to dodge the question. But also look at the other side of the question, which is that, as a coach, I have Aktür [Aktürkoğlu], who arrived and in three months has scored six, seven goals, and Andreas [Schjelderup] is now a month old and has two goals and has been very important recently. That's what we're aiming for. Now, all of them being fit at the same time isn't going to happen. What's going to happen? I - you're pulling for me, I'm also pulling for me... It's me having the ability, at all times, to choose those who are in the best shape to play. António [Silva] has made very good strides whenever he's been called upon, just as Tomás [Araújo] has made strides playing at right-back, and has had two very good games, Andreas [Schjelderup] is playing well. EIn short, that's what I want. Barreiro played a great game again tonight, that's what I want. To be demanding with them and for them to feel that, when they're in a good moment, I'm looking at them and giving them the chance to play."

DI MARÍA'S REPLACEMENT

"I can't say anything yet, just what the player told me when I called him over to the line, he felt a little discomfort, and we made the change straight away."

THE CHALLENGE OF OVERCOMING

"[How to rescue Renato Sanches?] It's the mentality of a champion, it's the mentality of overcoming. This is always the challenge in our profession, not to look too much at the negative moment and to think about recovery, and as I said before, he knows that he has a coach, a technical team and a work group that will welcome him in the best way."