Roger Schmidt: "We're doing well"

POST-MATCH

In statements made in the flash interview area and at the press conference, Roger Schmidt assessed Benfica's performance in the 1-3 win at Portimonense on Matchday 6 of the Liga Betclic. 

START, CONTROL AND FINISH THE GAME

"I'm always pleased when we win games, it's never easy to win away games. It's always important to win when you're coming off the back of a defeat. That was the first objective for today. We started very well, with good possession, very vertical, always looking for moments in attack. We scored two very good goals and created even more chances to decide the game. In the second half, we lost some tension. Instead of deciding the game and maintaining control and dominance, we did a little less, we weren't at the same level. After the break, we wanted to play like we did at the start. We saw what can happen in football. We controlled everything, and we also created chances at the start of the second half, but we didn't take advantage of these moments and our opponents came back. In two minutes, they scored a goal and had a penalty. Fortunately, Trubin saved the penalty, and with 1-3 the game was decided. But then we also had moments when we could have scored more goals."

MIRROR OF THE SEASON

"We could have won more easily again. That's been the story of this season. We've played very well, we've dominated games, we've created chances, but we've failed a little to kill the game off and score more goals. (...) If we're 0-2 up, we can't have counter-attacks against us. We weren't objective enough in attack either. We always create a lot of chances, and we should have the mentality of taking every chance as if it's the only one we're going to get in the game. It's something we have to improve because sometimes we'll have games where we have fewer chances, but we still have to score to win the game. We're doing well, we've won our games, we deserve all our wins, but we could do it more easily."

HALF-TIME SUBSTITUTIONS

"It always depends on the games. I change when I have to. I've done it a few times, it's nothing special. We needed new energy, we had a very difficult game on Wednesday [against Salzburg] in 10 against 11.Some players were getting tired and that's why we used other players. They always have to be ready, but every game is unique, there's no standard for every game."

PENALTY SAVED BY TRUBIN

"I'm very happy for him because he's new to Benfica. He made a mistake on Wednesday with the penalty, so it wasn't easy for him. Today, he was very clear and made a great save because, at that moment, it could have been a draw, and we would have had to fight again. It was very important to save that ball. Then David Neres scored the decisive goal and it was done."

MORATO IN THE STARTING XI

"Morato did well on Wednesday, and we must prepare him for the Inter game. Morato is always very good and positive in training, and I think it was wise to give him minutes as well. He did very well, so for António [Silva] it was a day to rest. It has nothing to do with the red card on Wednesday."

DI MARÍA'S INJURY

"Di María could recover for Friday's game [against FC Porto]. He's not a problem for that game."