"It's a pleasure to share the dressing room with Otamendi"

Bajrami, Benfica's central defender, believes the Reds are “well-prepared” for the match against Chelsea, asserting that the team is “focused” on fighting for a place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

What are your expectations for the game against Chelsea?

It will be a great game, very difficult, but we are well-prepared. We have worked hard on our game plan, we are well-prepared, and we are focused.

What would be a good World Cup for Benfica? What are your goals?

We are taking it one game at a time, we want to win every game. We want to play with the right mindset, the coach has been pushing us to be more aggressive in duels, for example, and we want to win every game. We are thinking about tomorrow's game [Saturday, June 28], that is our focus.

One of Benfica's key strengths so far has been conceding few goals. As a defender, how do you view the work that has been done by the team? Are they more consistent?

We are working on this every day. The technical team and the coach are doing a great job with the defensive line. It's not just the defenders, it's the whole team, and we're doing a good job so far.

In the last game, at the end, we saw you and Otamendi encouraging António Silva. Would you like to share what you said to him? And what went through your minds at that moment?

António [Silva] and Nico [Otamendi] played a great game, and it was just a matter of congratulating them, nothing more.

How do you view Nico Otamendi's renewal?

We are very happy about this, it was something we all wanted. Nico is a role model for all of us, he is a very important player, but he is also a very important person for our dressing room, and we are very happy.

What does Otamendi teach you on a daily basis? As a center back, what experience does he pass on to you?

Above all, he exudes confidence. I learn from him every day, both on and off the field, the way he works. For me, it's a pleasure to share the field with him, I'm very happy with him.

On the other hand, doesn't it make it difficult for a player like Bajrami to establish himself in Benfica's squad?

For me, the most important thing is the team. Nico had a great season, it's true, but for me, the team is always the most important thing. If I can help the team, I'm here to help, and if the coach needs me off the field, I'm here to help the team off the field as well.

What do you consider to be Chelsea's strongest aspect?

They are a very good team, a Premier League team. Obviously, they are a good team, they have good dynamics up front, and they have a good defense too. They are a very compact team, and it will be a difficult game.

When did Otamendi tell you he was going to renew his contract? Was it after the victory against Bayern?

No, it wasn't after the victory against Bayern. Honestly, I heard about the renewal today [Friday, June 27].