Players' reaction: “We deserved more in this game”

In their analysis of Benfica-Barcelona (4-5) - the match of round 7 of the Champions League league phase, played on Tuesday, January 21, at the Estadio da Luz - Pavlidis, Florentino and Álvaro Carreras stressed the injustice of the outcome of the clash.

PAVLIDIS

"A very good game against one of the best clubs in the world"

"The emotion was a bit 50/50. I can't say much more. I'm very happy about the three goals, but of course, when you lose a game like this, you can't be happy. We played a very good game. We played better than them in the first half. We had more chances to score and we did it. We had a good plan and good pressure. In the 2nd half, they had the pace. We dropped off a bit because they pressed a lot, because we were ahead. In the end, it's painful when you concede a goal at the last moment, the last goal, and lose 4-5. We deserved more in this game. We played a very good game against one of the best clubs in the world. [Hat-trick against Barcelona] It was a very good night for me. Of course, when you score three goals against Barcelona it's a dream. When it happens, of course, it's good, but it's also painful, because we needed to do more as a team to take the points. Maybe not three points, but at least one. We played a good game, and it's hard to talk about that today [Tuesday, January 21]."

FLORENTINO

"The plan was fulfilled"

"It's not just any team that can score four goals against Barcelona, and I think we had a clear plan, and we did what we set out to do, because the plan was fulfilled perfectly. Of course, they had a bit more control, but there were chances for both sides, clear opportunities, and I think that if we keep playing like this, we'll get through [to the next round] in the Champions League. I think it was also clear that the refereeing influenced the game a little, but there are certain details that the team needs to mature in, and we're going to work on that so that we can be stronger in the next game. [Next round against Juventus] I think Benfica is a team that can beat any team in the Champions League. If we're always at our best, at the top of our abilities, we can always play as equals. Today [Tuesday, January 21], it was clear to everyone, because we played a very balanced game, defending and attacking, and our plan worked out the way we wanted. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal at the end, which we weren't expecting, but, as I said earlier, we have to move on and learn from our mistakes. [Winning in Turin] We'll do our best."

ÁLVARO CARRERAS

"With this mentality, we'll get very far"

"We expected a game like this, open. I'm upset by the result, but we have to keep working because, with this mentality, we're going to go a long way. [What was missing to clinch points] We'll have to analyze it, the manager will give us the keys, but in my opinion, I think we need to know how to cut the game up, not in an ugly way, but by keeping the ball a bit more."