Rui Vitória: “They are battles after battles… We prepare ourselves for each one of them”

After a break of more than a week, Benfica returns, this Monday (9:00 pm), to the pitch, to face Belenenses, in a match from Round 20 of Liga NOS. Rui Vitória guaranteed that the Reds will fight for the three points, “always respecting the opponent”.

“It is an important match, like all are. It will be a tough match, with good players and a new coaching staff. They always come with new ideas. It is the first game at home and they may have a new dynamic with the new coach. They are battles after battles and we prepare ourselves for each of them. We have to know the virtues of the opponent, cancel them out and put our weapons on the pitch. What we coaches want is to do everything well. We wish to continue the process. Every match must be lived in an intense way. We have been performing, in the result point of view, and the performances, but tomorrow [Monday] that must be shown on the pitch. The team has been showing collective quality and we go there with the will to win, respecting Belenenses”, said the Benfica coach in the press conference held this Sunday at Estádio da Luz.

Rui Vitória ensured that the Reds have options to overcome the absence of Krovinovic, who picked up an injury against GD Chaves. To the journalists, the coach identified four options to take the Croatian place.

“From the players available, there are two or three that may come in and add others characteristics. João Carvalho thinks faster than most players in those positions, he shows up close to the goal, he has a great passing ability. He has to win aggressive and stamina. Now Krovinovic was not the same player he was two or three months ago. Then, Zivkovic plays well in the middle, he has a great technical skill and has qualified for the position. We have Keaton [Parks] who is being prepared for some time and may play in those positions. We also have Gedson who has been working with us for three or four weeks. He has the ability to reach the opposing penalty area. There are several players, but the decisions are made. Tomorrow[Monday] a player will come in and step up to the plate. It will be one of these four options”, he revealed.

“I will not settle for a draw” - these were the words of the new coach from Belenenses, Silas, in the preview press conference. “A positive perspective”, according to Rui Vitória.

"Naturally, there is a chance in the coaching staff. Domingos made the best job possible. Any coach always brings opinions and principles to implement. It will be the first game at home and there are already a set of guidelines given by the coach after a week of work. There is also a typical chance in the matches against the big teams.
The stadium will have a different atmosphere, with a lot of Benfiquistas. Will he not settle for a draw? It is a positive perspective and he is going to fight. I approve that coaches should have this vision. We want postures and positions like that, "he said. 

On possible transfers in and out in the winter market, Rui Vitória clarified that "there is a lot of quality in the squad."

"The president and I are in tune with the present and the future of Benfica, everything is written. When I got here, the purpose was to win and make sure there's quality in here. And there is. Everyone in here has the potential to play. I'm not saying that no one is going to come in, someone might come in, but I think about those who are here, "he finished.

Text: Filipa Fernandes Garcia

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica