"It's been incredible since day one!"

INTERVIEW

Roger Schmidt's men's ambition for the current season is supreme. Aursnes, in an interview with the newspaper A Bola, expressed just that. Making Benfica fans happy is the goal for 2024! 

LIVING IN LISBON

"It's very good, I really like it here. I think the people are very good. I like the Portuguese people, their way of being and the city, which is very beautiful. The club too, which is obviously where I spend most of my time, at matches and with the fans... It's fantastic!"

AZAR KARADAS, THE NORWEGIAN FORMER BENFICA PLAYER

"Yes, I know him a bit. He played here for a season and then went out on loan for two seasons. I think he had a very good experience here too."

SCHJELDERUP

"Andreas is at Nordsjaelland on loan, and I think it's good for him to be able to play more. He's very young, but he's got a lot of quality. I hope he comes back and shows what he's worth. I believe in him and hope he'll be an important player in the future." 

WHEN I HEARD ABOUT BENFICA'S INTEREST...

"My agent called me, obviously, to tell me that Benfica were interested. It was something that could happen and that I wanted straight away. It was an easy decision for me. From the moment I heard, I wanted to come. Fortunately, it happened, and I'm very happy about it. I have no regrets about coming here. To be honest, it's been incredible since day one!"

RECOGNITION

"Yes, I feel it, it's obvious, I've been playing more and more. In the first few months I started mainly from the bench. I got to know the team better, and then I started playing more from the starting eleven. Of course, people in Portugal know me better now. I played in Norway for a long time and then only one season in the Netherlands, so I understand why the Portuguese don't know me."

THE AMOUNT BENFICA PAID FOR THE TRANSFER

"I still feel the same, it was a lot of money. Obviously, in this day and age. It's a lot of money, but that's how it works. Of course it's strange, all this money, but it is what it is. At the time, I felt it was strange that they paid so much for me."

PLAY SEVERAL POSITIONS...

"I always try to look on the bright side. Of course, I want to play and help the team. To be honest, I don't care where I play, because I try to find the pleasure of playing soccer wherever it is, in midfield, on the wing or at right-back. I try to enjoy it. I think this mentality ends up being a quality, but of course it might be better to play in just one position. He could even develop more, but I don't see it that way."

WHICH POSITION ARE YOU MOST COMFORTABLE IN?

"I've mostly played as a 6 or 8, but here at Benfica I think I prefer to play left-winger like last season. I think I've had a good season, but to be honest I also like right-back. I feel more and more comfortable. I always try to enjoy every time I play in that position and I like it too." 

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: REVIEW

"Of course we're not satisfied with our performance. Obviously it was a difficult group, but it was a bit disappointing the way we played, especially against Real Sociedad in both games, and perhaps the second half against Inter away... I think it was way below our level. That was very disappointing. But in the end we had to accept it and try to make the best of the situation. In the last game we had to win by two goals, against Salzburg, and fortunately we did. We tried to stick together and make the best of the situation. Now we're in the Europa League, it's also a good competition, it's not the Champions League, but we have to accept it and do our best."

EUROPA LEAGUE

"We have to take things one step at a time. There are also very good teams in the Europa League. Of course it's possible, but it's a long road. We just have to take it one step at a time."

TOULOUSE: THE NEXT EUROPEAN OPPONENT

"It's only February and, to be honest, I don't know much about Toulouse. I don't usually watch French fotball, so... Obviously, if they got through the group stage, that shows they're a good team. Now there are only good teams left in the Europa League. We always have to respect our opponents. It's going to be a tough game."

MAIN CONTENDER FOR THE TITLE

"It's hard to say. Sporting is doing well, so are FC Porto and SC Braga. We've just played SC Braga away from home. They showed that they're also a very good team. Our opponents are very good. But, of course, we want top spot." 

THE "CLÁSSICOS"

"I think they're always special and intense. But, yes, of course, these are the games we really enjoy playing and dream about. They're memorable games that, of course, we want to win and remember in our careers."

IMPRESSED WITH RAFA

"I really like Rafa. He's impressed me a lot since I arrived, and I think he's a fantastic player. He can do fantastic things, damage teams with his speed, finesse and intelligence. I think it's very difficult for any defender... He's a fantastic player!"

VICTORY THAT GAVE THE MOST PLEASURE

"That's a difficult question. Of course, the games against FC Porto and Sporting, at home, were special games... And, of course, the fact that we beat Sporting, at home and in the last minute, was very special. It was very... I remember those games, but in the league every game counts. In those games, too, you only get three points. So we have to be focused on every game."

MOST MEMORABLE GOAL

"Which one did I like best? Maybe... Of course my first goal was beautiful, it was a cross. My first three goals were also... They were headers. But, yes, maybe my first goal for Benfica [against Santa Clara, January 21, 2023]." 

ROGER SCHMIDT, AN "EXCELLENT COACH"

"I have a good relationship with him... Since the beginning, since I arrived. I think he's a good person. Even when he asks me to play full-back? Yes, that's not a problem for me [laughs]. Of course we talk about it, and he knows, as I often say, that I'm always ready. If he wants to use me at right-back or left-back, I'll always do it. I think he's an excellent coach. For me and the rest of the players, where we started last season... We had a very good year and I think we're doing well this season too. The group has a lot of confidence in the gaffer and the coaches, so we're sticking together. And I believe we'll have good results this season too."

MESSAGE TO THE BENFICA FANS

"I wish you all a happy new year. I hope you all stay healthy (...), that you have lots of fantastic moments with us, that we can have lots of moments of joy, whether in our stadium or at away games, and that we then have something to celebrate."