"We have to look ahead and stick together"

PREVIEW

This Thursday, March 7, at 8 pm, Benfica plays the 1st leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Rangers, at Estádio da Luz. Fredrik Aursnes launched the match. 

What's the team's mood for this game? What do you think of the opposition?

I think we're doing well, we have high expectations for this game. They're a difficult opponent, they're playing well, they won their group in the Europa League, so it's going to be a tough game, but we have high expectations.

You're one of the most experienced players in the squad. After a difficult week for you, what was the message in the dressing room? How have you been living these days?

It's been a disappointing week. We have to stay positive, together and look ahead. That's the main message. That's what we'll try to do. We have a new game tomorrow [Thursday] and we have to do our best.

At the end of the game against FC Porto, and before this Europa League match, President Rui Costa apologized to the fans. Do the players feel they have to apologize too?

Of course we're not pleased with the match. We're very disappointed. Apologize or not, of course we can apologize [to the fans] for the performance, we're not satisfied at all. It was disappointing, and it hurt us a lot, but we have to look forward, stick together and be ready for the next game, that's the only thing we can do. Tomorrow [Thursday] we have a new game, and we have to improve on our last performance.

Was the last result even more difficult, given that it came against a direct rival like FC Porto?

Losing 5-0 is always very difficult. We're not happy about it, we've never conceded so many goals before. It's difficult. But, as I said, we have to look ahead, we have a new game.

Benfica have already conceded as many goals this season as they did last season (40). Can you explain that?

It's a difficult question. I don't think we conceded many goals in the league. It's true that we didn't do well in the Champions League, maybe that explains the numbers. Defensively, I think we've done well, at least in the league. We're fighting for three competitions, we have to keep going, but of course we can't concede five goals. We have to be better and learn from what happened.

What do you know about the Rangers team? What do you expect from the opponent?

It's going to be a tough game. I know one of their players [Cyriel Dessers], I played with him in the Netherlands [at Feyenoord]. He's a good player. Rangers have already shown that they've been successful in Europe, a few years ago they played in a final and this season they won their Europa League group. They've already shown that they have a lot of quality, as well as a lot of experience. It will be a very difficult game for us.