Rui Costa: "We've taken another step"

A Maestro at Benfica, Rui Costa also spread his magic in Italy representing Fiorentina, a club whose supporters still remember him as "Prince of Florence".

How do you rate Benfica's performance in this match against Fiorentina, which has certainly had a special significance for you?

We've taken another step in our preparation for the coming season. It was a reasonable match for this period. It was another step to get us to the start of the season. Personally, it was a game of good emotions and memories. These matches are beautiful specially because they are friendlies. The official matches are more difficult, but this is our professional life and I represent Benfica.

The transfer market is open... Between possible departures and possible arrivals, we will have news in the squad soon?

This transfer window only closes in the end of August, we have plenty of time until then to talk about it. We're fully aware, we're preparing as well as we can. Every day there is curiosity, there are questions from journalists, but our obligation is to work in order to have the best squad.

Text: João Sanches and Marco Rebelo

Photos: Tânia Paulo / SL Benfica