"The team is ready"

Prestianni, Benfica's assured that the red team "is ready to play" against Boca Juniors on matchday 1 of Group C of the Club World Cup. The match will take place at 11 pm Portuguese time (6 pm local time) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

This is a special game, against an Argentine club, and in the Club World Cup. How are you feeling about the game?

The truth is that both myself and the team feel very good, we are very calm, and we know what we have to do against a great rival like Boca.

You are seen as a very talented player, a Benfica gem. Bruno Lage has already said that he also had a plan for you. Do you expect to get more playing time in this competition?

Obviously, every player wants to play a lot of minutes, but I work 100%, 110% in every training session so that I have the chance to play in every game.

Do you think this is a final opportunity to show the fans that you want to be part of the squad next season?

As I said, I haven't had many minutes, but I try to make the most of the minutes I do have, and I train at 100% in every training session to get that opportunity on the pitch.

You are knowledgeable about Argentine football. Did you pass on any messages to your teammates? Boca Juniors often resort to dirty tricks, taking things personally to distract players. Did you pass this message on to your teammates?

Everyone knows, everyone has seen the videos of what Argentine soccer is like. The truth is that Argentine teams, such as Boca Juniors, are very strong teams that never give up on any ball, but the whole team knows that and is ready to play tomorrow [Monday].

You are very close to Otamendi. Have you spoken to him about staying at Benfica? Have you tried to convince him to stay for another season?

The truth is that I don't know anything about Otamendi, but it would be good if he stayed for another year, enjoying himself and playing.