Roger Schmidt: "We are prepared to play a good match"

PREVIEW

Leader of the Liga Bwin, Benfica faces Marítimo, this Sunday, March 12, at the Estádio do Marítimo. In the preview of the game from matchday 24 of the competition, scheduled for 6 pm, Roger Schmidt assured that the reds are prepared to overcome a "difficult task".

Considering the current moment of both teams, what kind of match do you expect?

Both teams need the three points. Marítimo is in a difficult position, fighting to avoid relegation. They will do everything to get the three points, and, for us, it is very important to keep playing good football and, above all, to win. For both teams it is an important game, I expect a top performance. In recent weeks, especially at home, Marítimo has shown that they can play good football. They believe in themselves, they are a brave team also in terms of ball possession. For us, it will be a difficult task, but we are in a good moment and prepared to play a good match.

You won't be able to count on Guedes, due to an injury. How many weeks will he be out?

Of course, it's a shame, even because Julian Draxler was already out until the end of the season, and he's a quality player. Gonçalo came back to Benfica and, in a loan situation, he was very motivated to play for his club. He quickly managed to gel with the team, played some good games, but he was having some problems with his knee, and it reached a point where it was not possible to continue. The decision of the medical department and the player was to undergo surgery. I am not an expert, but I think he will be out for four to six weeks.

What is the secret for Florentino's good season? Is he prepared for the National team?

There's no secret. From the first day, right in the pre-season, I saw a very focused and motivated player. He has always shown a lot of quality, he has adapted very well to this game style and, at this moment, he is an extraordinary center midfielder with and without the ball, which is what is needed in this very important position in the center of the action. He has been playing at a very high level throughout the season and also in the international games. I've said it before: when a team plays as a whole, when everyone has the same idea, it makes it easier for all the players. Whether he is an option for the National Team is up to the national team coach, but I like him very much and have always enjoyed seeing him in this position.