Jorge Jesus: "Very motivated, it's important for us to be in the final"

PREVIEW

Jorge Jesus believes that Benfica will face an "extremely motivated" Estoril in the first leg of the semi-final of the Portuguese Cup (Thursday, at 8:15 pm).

Estoril is the opponent in the semi-final. They compete in the Segunda Liga and, in the last five matches, they amassed two draws, two losses and one win. What do you expect from the match?

It is a competition that is loved by all supporters in Portugal, and all the coaches and players want to be in the final. We have the chance of advancing to the final, respecting Estoril. They have already eliminated three Primeira Liga teams. It is a team with an interesting game philosophy, both offensively and defensively. They will be extremely motivated and focused, but it is also important for us to be in the final. We will be as motivated as the Estoril players.

Given the distance that Benfica already has to Sporting, the Portuguese Cup, domestically, becomes the main goal?

The main goal is and always was the National Championship. The second? There are several, but domestically it is the Portuguese Cup. We still have a say in the Europa League. The second half of the championship has just started, we are many points behind the leader but, as we know, all can change in football.

Will Lucas Veríssimo play? What can you tell us about the Brazilian central defender? How is he physically? What can he add to the team?

Right now, as you know, we usually have two center backs [Otamendi and Vertonghen] playing; we have the arrival of Lucas [Veríssimo] and the promotion of Morato. Ferro and Todibo left the club, Jardel is injured. Lucas Veríssimo arrived two/three days ago and is adapting to our way of playing. He is quicker than the other center backs. He has special characteristics, some of them good and some not so good. He is a player that comes to add, but it is not yet the ideal moment to launch him.