Heroes of the "clássico": Rodrigo and Garay trust in the Wave and in the team

Nowadays they play at Valencia, in Spain, but not so far ago they wore an eagle on their chest and shone at the Estádio da Luz and other Portuguese pitches. The Official Site spoke with Rodrigo and Garay and made them go back in time.

Ahead of the Benfica-FC Porto, the heroes of the "clássico of the 11 Eusébios" remembered the match of 2013/14, the first season of the "Tetra"[four league titles in a row], relived the atmosphere of Estádio da Luz created by "spectacular supporters" and hope for a victory that may leave the door to the Fifth league title in a row wide open.

RODRIGO

• The Benfica-FC Porto (2-0) held after the death of Eusébio

“It was a very special week, I remember like it was today, there was a lot of emotion. It is a match I remember with special affection. Until this day I have the jersey signed by all my teammates. Happy to have scored a goal together with Garay, it was really a very special day.”

• The always faithful supporters and the atmosphere that is lived in the Cathedral

“Not only at Estádio da Luz, but all over Portugal, and even in a lot of European stadiums I have played at with Benfica, the presence of the supporters was always very important.”

“I am sure that, at Estádio da Luz, there will be a great atmosphere in the match against FC Porto and that will the team win the game.”

• What to expect of the"clássico" (Benfica-FC Porto) on Sunday, April 15th

“The "clássicos" are always complicated, they are high-level matches and they are decided on details. Benfica playing at home will be very important, the pressure of the fans, the possible conquest of the Fifth league title in a row, something unprecedented.”

“Benfica has not started the Championship very well, but the truth is it managed to turn things around and has to keep that will to always win and win the title again. I strongly believe in that and I am hoping that to happen!”

• The importance of the match for what is left to play in the Liga NOS

“I know that in football anything can happen, but there is no doubt that the victory would be a very important step on the road to the title. Both for the victory and for felling that a rival moves further away what there are so few matches left to play.”

• The players' vision on the so-called big matches

“I see big teams, matches of great responsibility, high-level matches that are decided on details. Obviously, in Portugal, it will be more for the decision of the National Champion title.”

GARAY

• The Benfica-FC Porto (2-0) held after the death of Eusébio

“It is a very beautiful memory because it was a very special match. Eusébio had passed away a few days before, we all played with a jersey that had "Eusébio" written on the back and in think it was very beautiful for all, and to score a goal in a derby, in a "clássico" is even more beautiful.”

• The always faithful supporters and the atmosphere that is lived in the Cathedral

“There is no doubt it is a beautiful stadium. Benfica has spectacular supporters. I lived a beautiful year there and I believe that the fans become one player when the rivals visit Estádio da Luz.”

• What to expect of the"clássico" (Benfica-FC Porto) on Sunday, April 15th

“Benfica is a point ahead of FC Porto. It is clear that if they win all the matches they will become champions, but now the match they will play against FC Porto is the most important, because it allows the team to get a four-point lead, and that would be very important in such a complicated and though league as the Portuguese.”

• The importance of the match for what is left to play in the Liga NOS

“There is no doubt there will be, as I mentioned before, a very important match… If Benfica wins, it will have a lot of hope of winning another championship, and then it is a moral boost for what is left of the season and face the last matches there are left with the triumph over a eternal rival.”

• The players' vision on the so-called big matches

“There are totally different matches, it is a "clássico" that is very nice to play, for the atmosphere, for the game because there are the two team from the top of the table”

Text: João Sanches, Marco Rebelo and Sónia Antunes 

Pics: Archive / SL Benfica