A draw that felt like too little: the players' reactions

Benfica began their participation in the 1st FIFA Club World Cup with a draw (2-2) against Boca Juniors, on matchday 1 of Group C of the competition. The players reacted to the result and showed a clear conviction that they wanted to do more, do better and pick up three points in their next match against Auckland City.

At the end of the match, on the microphones of DAZN, BTV and in the mixed zone, Otamendi, Di María, Florentino, Aursnes, Trubin and Dahl analyzed the main incidents of the match.

OTAMENDI

"We tried to win"

"[Game analysis] We tried to play our game, try to nullify Boca's characteristics, try to eliminate their virtues... It was a tough game, and we drew. [Future] My future hasn't been decided yet, I'm enjoying this competition, which is one that everyone would like to be playing in. [The goal] The truth is that everyone knows I'm a River hincha [fan]. When I score a goal, I celebrate it like any other goal against any rival. [Argentinian goals against Boca] It's a competition in which everyone competes to advance to the next stage. Today, with a negative scoreline, we managed to help get the draw. [Di María's penalty] We know how good he is, he's a legend, not just in Argentinian football, but all over the world. He's going to return to Argentinian football, I always wish him the best. He's going to enjoy it to the full, with all his family, and I'm happy for him. [High temperatures] I think it's the same for both teams. Yes, it's hot, it's heavy, but it's a competition where you have to outdo yourself, try to compete. [Good reaction to 2-0] After a negative result, we tried to get an equalizer, and we were also down a player... Being able to draw also gave us an extra boost, and we tried to get the win, but... [What was missing?] Nothing, I think we have to value the game we played, try to correct the mistakes we made, and face the next match in the best possible way. [Is Álvaro Carreras ready for Real Madrid?] Álvaro is a very humble guy, very hard-working, and I really think that if he gets the chance, it will depend on him. But he's very focused on Benfica, playing in a competition that every player wants to play in."

DI MARÍA

"The mentality is to always try to win"

"The truth is that we tried to win the match. We know what Argentinian football is like, we knew how we had to play. In the first half we didn't play the same way, we lacked a bit more, but in the second half we improved a lot and tried to win in the end. We didn't manage it, the referee also allowed too many fouls and, if he had shown more yellows at the start, the game would have been better, but it was stopped. We were in the game, but then two distractions, two goals out of nothing, quick... that's football, we knew it could happen. We could also have scored first, we had a few chances... but that's football, we drew and now we have to keep going. [Is the next game the most important?] No, all three matches are important, and we wanted to win all three. It wasn't possible today, but we have to win the next game. The mentality is to always try to win and finish first in the group. We have to win to do that."

FLORENTINO

"Reaction of the character we have"

"[Analysis] It was a very tight game. I think it took us a while to understand how to play the game. They wanted a lot of duels, they didn't want to play the ball much, they wanted more confusion. But once we understood how we had to play, I think we were effective and managed to score the two goals. [Benfica's reaction] I think it shows the character we have, even though we were outplayed, we managed to play as equals, we managed to dominate the game and score the second goal."

AURSNES

"Continue to believe"

"It was a tough game, we're a bit disappointed with how it went. We didn't play our best game. After 2-0 we almost turned it around, at least it was 2-2, but we're a bit disappointed. [Benfica's reaction with 10 players] I think we were the better team when we had 10 players, and then they also had 10. We started well in the first half, and then when we had 10 players we also played well, and created chances. Nico [Otamendi] also scored when we were down to 10, it was a good reaction and showed character. We have to keep believing. We have to believe that we can still go on. It was a draw, we'll have to try to win the next game by a lot of goals, and then we'll have Bayern in the last game. We have to do our best."

TRUBIN

"We wanted more goals"

"[Game analysis] We had chances to score, so there were no doubts. But we made two mistakes in the first half and they scored. We also scored two goals, but we wanted more goals and more for Benfica. [Boca fans] The Boca fans surprised me a lot, but I expected that from them. [Goals scored by the Argentinians] It doesn't matter to me who scores. We always want to win, we have a lot of players who score. [Di María's departure] He keeps fighting, he gives everything, so... [Florida's heat made it difficult?] It's hard, for the first time in my life I've felt heat like this. But after a few days, we're more adapted."

DAHL

"Do better in the games that follow"

"Fortunately we scored two goals and got a point. Now we have to do better in the next two games. [Di María] He's a great player, with iconic status in the team, and we all have the privilege of sharing the same locker room and the same pitch as him. So of course he's going to leave a mark on all of us. I'm sure we'll put in two better performances and we'll see what happens."