AVS, 15th in the table, with 11 points, faces Benfica, second overall, with 31 and one game less, at the Estádio do Clube Desportivo das Aves, this Sunday, at 6pm, in a game that will be refereed by João Gonçalves, of the Porto association.
AVS coach Daniel Ramos said that the team will have to make the most of what the game allows in offensive terms and “stop Benfica's many threats” in the 14th round of the I Football League.
“Benfica is a strong team in many aspects. He has quality in terms of depth, internal play, the individual ability of his players and the way they combine in attack. We have identified these threats internally and we will work to control them in the best possible way, making the most of what the game allows us to do in offensive terms as well”, said Daniel Ramos, at the preview press conference.
The AVS coach noticed the “special nature of the match”, but insisted on the idea that his team will go to the game to compete for points, following the plan outlined.
Regarding Benfica, Daniel Ramos recognized “the good moment”, translated into victories, even in more balanced matches, such as against Arouca and Vitória, having no doubts in recognizing that the ‘reds’ “have been a very competitive and strong team”, against which the AVS will seek to “consolidate the idea of the game and work to improve at all times”.
Red coach Bruno Lage assumed that Benfica has “a very good opportunity” to reach the end of the year at the top of the I Football League, and admitted that he feels a “positive energy” in the team.
In a press conference before the visit to AVS, the coach reinforced his “confidence in the work” done in the last three months, since he succeeded Roger Schmidt, despite there still being “huge room for improvement”, and assumed that a few weeks ago he had in the championship lead.
“About a month and a half ago I had this conviction that we, depending on the evolution of the team, could reach the end of the year shortening the distance to first place. Right now, we have a very good opportunity, during this month, to reach comfort in a different position”, said the coach.
Without stopping, he revealed that he feels a “very great energy and positive spirit” among the work group and revealed an appeal from the captain, Otamendi, who asked the team for “unity”.
Regarding Sunday's meeting, in Vila das Aves, Lage downplayed the fact that AVS SAD only had two victories in the championship, remembering that “they also have a new, very experienced coach”, Daniel Ramos, and 'de-dramatized' Álvaro's absence Carreras, the player with the most appearances in the team this season and who will serve a one-game suspension.
See here, after the end of the match, the summary of the game:
