Roger Schmidt: "I’m happy with the performance and attitude"

POST-MATCH

In the flash interview and in the press conference, Roger Schmidt admitted he was pleased with the 0-1 win over Estoril. The game from Matchday 8 of the Liga Betclic, took place this Saturday, October 7, at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota. 

HARD-EARNED WIN

"I’m very happy because we won. It was a very difficult game, we could have put things easier if we had scored, we had some very good moments in the first half. If we do not take advantage of the opportunities at the beginning or in the middle of the game, we must remain calm, have patience, believe until the final whistle and score. That’s what we did today. The position does no reflect Estoril's quality, theu are much better. The squad is good, they have many very good players, are very good at counterattacking with the wingers and the forwards. They’re very tactically disciplined, the coach is doing a very good job. They didn’t give us much space. They were always very dangerous when they won balls with the fast players in front. We were challenged to defend many counter-attacks. They could also have scored, had moments, our center-backs had to solve some very complicated situations. In the end, we scored in the added time, but that’s also football. I’m very happy that my team was able to solve this game today. It was hard, but in the end, we won. It doesn’t matter how we did it, and we deserved to win."

CALM FEELING

"I’m not worried. Last season we also had games like this and we have to win. It is not possible to control the 90 minutes of the 34 games of the season [in the League]. I have a lot of respect for all games, especially away. They are in the last position of the table, but played as if they could play international football. I was impressed with their performance. We’re Benfica, but that doesn’t mean we win 5-0 and they have no chance to do anything. That’s why I’m not worried. I’m glad we’re able to win these kind of games."

VICTORY IN GOOD TIME

"It’s good to win the last game before the national teams' break, because we have to live two weeks with this result. It was important to win due to our situation in the League. We lost the first game, we won seven games in a row, that was important, and now we have to use this confidence and this success to evolve, because there’s still potential."

CHANGES IN THE STARTING XI

"I can’t explain all the changes. Sometimes we have to change. Three players were injured: Alex Bah, Ángel Di María and Orkun Kökcü. Because of that, I had to change players, and for a few other reasons. We had some changes, but all players did their best. We could have done better things, in the first half we lost too many balls unnecessarily, too many mistakes invited them to counterattack, but I’m happy with the players' performance and attitude."

SUBSTITUTIONS FROM 69 MINUTES ONWARDS

"It was my decision. I have to find the right time. We were good in the game, there was no need. Casper [Tengstedt] was good, had very good moments in the attack. Unfortunately, he didn’t score, but I wanted to give him a little more time on the field. I felt that the players were still dangerous, continued to believe, were organized to defend the counterattacks. In the end, we needed fresh players. The players who came in were good, gave us new energy. Petar [Musa] was also part of the goal, made the assist to António. It was the right approach."