“We have total focus on the Portuguese Cup”: Roger Schmidt believes he will turn the tie around in the derby
Coach says there are still seven games left and he will have time to think about the other game with Sporting, on Saturday.
Mario Figueiredo 01:30
Photo: Luis Manuel NevesRoger Schmidt
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Photo: Luis Manuel NevesRoger Schmidt
1/two
“We have total focus on the Portuguese Cup. We are very motivated to win this game and then we start thinking again about the League and the game against Sporting on Saturday. It’s our plan and the best way to approach each game”, said Roger Schmidt this Monday in the preview of this Tuesday’s derby (8:45 pm, RTP 1) with Sporting, referring to the 2nd leg of the semi-finals of the queen competition, where they will have to recover from the result of the first leg in Alvalade (2-1 victory for the lions).
The German coach makes no secret of the fact that the team is motivated and confident of turning the tie around in order to be in the Jamor final: “Everything is quite clear. We are one goal down and we have 90 minutes to play good football and turn things around. That’s what we have to do and we are very motivated to reach the Portuguese Cup final.”
Asked about the fact that the Cup game could affect the derby for the championship, on Saturday, in Alvalade, Roger Schmidt prefers to keep the focus game by game. “As we get closer to the end of the season, the more decisive the games become. In the Cup we have a decision, and in the championship we still have seven games to go. This becomes increasingly decisive.”In a quick press conference, with just three questions and just over five minutes, due to an accident on the 25 de Abril Bridge that caused traffic constraints and delayed several media outlets, the coach did not reveal who the spearhead will be. “I’m not going to reveal the eleven, much less the striker. What we need is a very good overall performance. We have several options for attack, but we need speed and creativity, with important physical power. We have several options to attack in the final third, be dangerous and score goals.”Meité happily admits to staying at PAOK
Soualiho Meité, a 30-year-old French midfielder who is on loan from Benfica to PAOK until the end of this season, admitted to remaining in Greece. “Continue at PAOK? Why not?”, he told the SDNA portal.
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FEATURED IN SPAIN
Di María is at the end of his contract with Benfica and this Monday was highlighted in Spain. With the possibility of returning to Rosário Central further away, given the threats directed at his family, the newspaper ‘Marca’, without ruling out the possibility of continuing in Luz, points to two destinations for the Argentine: USA and Saudi Arabia.Benfica’s route
Lusitânia dos Açores (4-1, away), Famalicão (2-0, home), Sp. Braga (3-2, home) and Vizela (2-1, away) were the opponents eliminated by Benfica until the ‘half’ .
