"We have to be prepared"

Mário Branco, Benfica's general director for professional football, reacted to the result of the draw or the third round of the Portuguese Cup, held on Thursday, September 25, at Cidade do Futebol. The Eagles travel to Chaves' home ground.

"They are a tough opponent, who recently played in the top league. It is also a long trip, almost 1,000 kilometers round trip, in a third qualifying round that is played after an international break, which is always complicated for teams that usually have many players representing their countries, and precedes a Champions League trip to Newcastle. So, obviously, it's a complicated schedule, but we have to be prepared to play Chaves in the third round and be in the fourth round," said the general director in statements to Canal 11.

Looking ahead to a historic clash in Portuguese football, and considering the excitement that the Eagles' presence in Trás-os-Montes will generate, Mário Branco emphasized: "We at Benfica are used to having a lot of support wherever we play, with lots of people wanting to see Benfica play all over the country. From that perspective, it will always be a very interesting Portuguese Cup game, but, as always, we have to respect our opponents and be prepared to be there in the fourth round."