"The aim is to focus on getting the three points"

PREVIEW

Back in the Liga Betclic, after having secured their passage to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, Benfica  will face Casa Pia on matchday 26. 

After an important win in the Europa League, Benfica will play again in the league against Casa Pia. What does the team need to do to get the three points?

We have a very tough schedule, I think it's the 13th game in a row with only two or three days in between. The team did very well, especially in the last two games. Now our goal is to focus once again on the game with Casa Pia, to get the three points. We know that Casa Pia, especially in the last four games with the new coach, are very stable again. In the first three games they haven't conceded a goal, and if we analyze the matches, we also see that their opponents haven't had many chances to score. They're very disciplined again, compact in defense and waiting for counterattacks. Especially at this time, when there are so many games, it's always a challenge to be ready for the games again, but of course we have great motivation in the league. On Thursday [March 14], we showed our ambition in the Europa League. We were successful, that gives us a lot of confidence, but tomorrow [Sunday, March 17] we also want to show our ambition in the Portuguese League. Then we might have a few days off and some players have to go to the national teams.

April brings a heavy schedule. Given Sporting's elimination from the Europa League, do you think that could make a difference? Is Benfica's squad capable of fighting on all three fronts [Championship, Europa League and Portuguese Cup]?

Yes, if we didn't have that capacity, we wouldn't be in all three competitions. We have the opportunity to win all three competitions this season, that's positive and shows that we have capacity and quality in the squad. Of course we'll have more games, and it's demanding, but in my opinion it also has a positive effect. For all the players, it's special to play these games in international football, especially when they become decisive, like the knockout stages. The quarter-finals are different from the group stage or play-off games. That can give us a lot of motivation and a good collective rhythm. When we win, it's a very positive thing. PI think it's good to play Sporting before international matches. For the Portuguese Cup, it will be a decisive game, and in the league, it will be a very important game at Sporting's ground. In terms of these games, both teams are in the same situation. Now we'll have some rest for the next two weeks, especially the players who aren't playing for the national teams. Then we'll have to be ready again. It's the final phase of the season. I think we did very well last season, also in the league, and when I look at my team, they're very good physically. That's how we have to approach the rest of the season. It doesn't matter if we have to play more or fewer games.

How do you analyze the draw for the Europa League, which pitted you against Marseille in the quarter-finals?

It's what we expected, there are no easy opponents in the quarter-finals of international competitions anymore. Marseille is a very good club, very experienced in international football. We've already had experience with Toulouse, and last season with Paris Saint-Germain, so we know that French teams have a lot of individual quality. We expect that from Marseille too. We know it's not easy to play at their stadium. Unfortunately, we have to play the second leg in Marseille. The first leg is at our stadium, and of course we need a very good first game. We're confident that we can win these games and reach the semi-finals. That's our new goal in the Europa League, to be the better team in both legs and beat Marseille. Of course it's not easy, but it's what we were hoping for. In the last few games in international football we've done well. We didn't start well at the beginning of the season in the Champions League, but in the last few rounds, against Rangers and Toulouse, and also in the last few games in the Champions League, against Salzburg and Inter Milan, we showed our quality. We have to do it again against Marseille. The level we played at on Thursday [March 14], as a team in general, gives us a lot of confidence going into these two games.

In an interview, Kökcü voiced some criticism of the coach and the club. Do you think you have an unstable dressing room?

Firstly, I've heard about the interview. I haven't read it yet, and I will after the press conference. Then, if necessary, I will of course speak to the player. At these times, you need to get information from the player first. I'll talk to him, and then I'll make my decisions.

This season, there have been some issues with some players. Has it been difficult to manage a dressing room with so many stars, and the way you put them in the team? Could that create some disunity in the group?

It's completely normal. We're in professional football, the season is long, there are many games to be played. I think it's completely normal to have some issues sometimes. It's part of football to guide and lead the players in a good way, to always talk about topics, if they are problems, or if some players are struggling with their situation, to talk to them and deal with it. In the end, overall, our players always showed a very good attitude. I'm very happy with the character of our team. So far, even last season, [the character] has always been at a high level, and I'm very happy to be the coach of this team, I like the atmosphere. Sometimes, if there are problems, you have to solve them. As I said, I'm going to read Orkun [Kökcü]'s interview. He's having a good season so far. He had some difficulties in the middle because he was injured. It's also normal for the first season not to be as easy as you expect, because you're at a new club, in a new situation. It's normal, it's part of leading a football team at this level. I think that, overall, the team is very good in terms of personality, character and spirit.