"A home match to reach the final": the players' reaction

At the Estádio José Alvalade on Thursday, February 29, the derby against Sporting in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-final didn't have the desired outcome for Benfica (2-1), but the two-legged play-off remains open. The second challenge, scheduled for April at the Estádio da Luz, will be decisive, as João Mário and Aursnes said in quick interviews. 

JOÃO MÁRIO

"The second part was all ours"

"Sporting play very well at home, they started well. In the first half, they created some difficulties for us, but we also knew that in the second half the game would open up. I think the second half was all ours. We scored two goals, and I'm still trying to understand why the second goal was disallowed. I've seen a picture of the disallowed goal. It looks like a clean goal to me, but it doesn't count. We lost this game, but it's all still open. We have a home game to try and turn the situation around, to make it to the final of the Portuguese Cup. We're confident. [Whistles at Alvalade?] As for the whistles, they're just a sign that I'm doing things right at Benfica. [Next match against FC Porto?] From tomorrow [Friday, March 1] we'll start preparing for that game. There's not much time before that game, we know it's always difficult to play at the Dragão. I'm convinced we'll have a good game and win."

AURSNES

"One more match to go"

"It was a tough game between two good teams. We struggled in the first half to create chances, but we were more aggressive in the second half. The first part [of the knockout round] is over, and now there's one more match to go."