Rui Vitória: “This batch of players gives us guarantees”

Rui Vitória analyzed the Portuguese Cup game against V. Setúbal, which resulted in qualification of Benfica for the Last 16 after a 2-0 win.

“It was a well-disputed match, in which a team knew they would be eliminated. We entered the game on a strong note, dynamics. We scored a goal and we could have score more. In the second half we controlled the match, we scored another goal. It was fair win”, he stated. 

Once again, after Guimarães, Benfica played again in 4x3x3. The coach is pleased with the dynamics of the squad, but he remembers there are still details to adjust.

“For this match, we had the idea of playing with this 4x3x3 formation. There are still nuances to improve, but that was the path we wanted to follow. We have to highlight the following: playing with this or that players, with one or two attackers, the team has given a good response and interpreted well what we wanted”, he praised. 

With this formation, Jonas is the offensive reference. He was against Guimarães and now, against V. Setúbal. Rui Vitória explain what the team can win.

“In Guimarães we used Jonas in the attack. He is a great goal scorer, who gathers the attention of the opponent centre-backs and the players that are near him have another range, namely Pizzi and Krovinovic. Today he didn't score, but he has a lot of quality”, he said. 

For this match, there where several changes in the starting XI. “We have a batch of players where all have the ability to play. Unfortunately, only 11 can play. We change players for this match and the gave a good response on the pitch. Football and the season are made of cycles. The players give us guarantees for the up-coming matches”, he assured. 

And he completed: “The changes have to do with several aspects. The team that played, apart from Samaris, worked with us during the week of the national commitments Keaton worked in the number 6 position, but I preferred Samaris, because the context was different.”

Text: Marco Rebelo

Pics: João Paulo Trindade / SL Benfica