Analysis by the Eagles coach after the 4-1 victory against FC Porto
After the 4-1 defeat of FC Porto, Bruno Lage, Benfica coach, highlighted the importance of collective work of enormous quality and highlights the support in the stands at Estádio da Luz.
After the game with Bayern, he had asked Benfica for a reaction. I imagine you were satisfied with the answer.
It ended up being a performance for Benfica and we are satisfied. I think we played 90 minutes of enormous quality. Always very strong under pressure. Porto has a very good output, especially due to the goalkeeper, we managed to cancel that out. But then, with the ball, we managed to do what we couldn't do three days ago. Having more time with the ball, knowing how to manage the game with the ball. We knew that spaces would appear to create goal and score opportunities. That's what we tried to do, that's what yesterday, when we talked about the game, I felt the team could do. So, performance against Benfica, I'm satisfied with the three points.
What did you want with the midfielders pressing so much in the most advanced zone?
As I told you, Porto have interesting options through their goalkeeper and we tried to cancel that out. We put on excellent pressure. This is our job. Trying to understand the game, defining the best strategy, but, above all, valuing what we did during 90 minutes with the ball.
It's just three points, but what does this mean in terms of spirit for the team?
It's always rewarding. Firstly, it is always gratifying to play at Estádio da Luz, with the atmosphere as it was today. So, this is our life, every three days, to put on displays of this quality. That's what we work for. When we have less good moments, we have to be united. And always feel like the team is united, not suspecting anything, believing in the work that is being done.
