“I understand the disappointment, we want to finish the season at a top level”

PREVIEW

Benfica face Braga this Saturday April 27, a clash from matchday 31 of the Liga Betclic, at 6pm, at Estádio da Luz. In the preview, Roger Schmidt pointed to a "good football". 

Which approach will you take to tomorrow's game [Saturday, April 27], and what do you expect from Braga?

The approach is clear: play good football and get the three points. That's our approach to playing one of the top teams [in the league]. Playing against Braga is never easy, there's a lot of individual quality, and we have to be ready for an opponent who is still fighting for 3rd place in the league. We expect a very motivated Braga. We still have a chance of becoming champions, it's not the most likely, but there's a small chance, and we're 100% focused on what we have to do on the pitch. We already showed on Monday [against Farense] that we're ready for the end of the season, to finish at a top level. After the disappointment in Marseille [Europa League], we played a good game on Monday, we won, and we want to continue that tomorrow.

In this match, a win guarantees Benfica two important things: it postpones the title race and, on the other hand, ensures that they play in the Champions League qualifying round. Do you feel it's a litmus test for the team?

It's like you said. It's one thing to keep fighting to be champions, but it's another thing, crucial for teams like Benfica, and for all teams, to be part of the Champions League. Especially next season, with the new style of the competition. Being part of the Champions League is always important because of the financial issues for the club, but also for the club's image. This year is a little different, with the issues of Champions League places in Portugal, we've lost our position a little, which is why it's very important to finish 2nd at least. That way, we still have a chance of playing in the play-offs, or perhaps qualifying directly, depending on who wins the Europa League. It's a very important reason, and we know we can achieve it tomorrow [Saturday, April 27] by winning the game, but the big goal is to fight for the best possible position [in the league], and of course that's 1st place.

On the last match, there were some tense moments with the fans. What do you expect from this match at the Estádio da Luz?

If they want to spit at our players or throw objects, they'd better stay at home, but of course we need the other fans. You can't be successful without fans. We need a top atmosphere in our stadium. As I said before, we're still fighting for the league. It's not over yet. I hope there's a good atmosphere, as there has been several times. It's fantastic to play at this stadium, especially when the fans are completely behind you. It's one of the main reasons why you can be successful in football. We have high goals and we have to use every percentage to gain an advantage. Of course, playing at home has to be an advantage for us. It's up to us to play good football, show the fans that we're fighting for the three points and that we're proud to wear the Benfica jersey. That's our job and of course I hope we have a lot of fans behind us tomorrow [Saturday, April 27] so that we can win the match.

Have you spoken to the President after what happened? Are you fit to continue?

I think I've already answered that question in the last five press conferences. I have nothing new to add. I have a very good relationship with the President. We always talk about everything, of course, but I'm not important. The most important thing is Benfica, that we develop and fight for Benfica's goals. It's demanding, of course, but if you look at the bigger picture, we've done some very good things over the last two years. Maybe this year we'll only win the Super Cup, and we have to accept that. I've said several times that, from my point of view, we've built a new team over the last two years, a young team with a lot of potential and value. To do that and be champions every year is not easy. This year we've had a very difficult competition, I think we're doing well, maybe not at our peak, but well enough to win the league. Sporting are having a very good season and, if they continue like this, it will be very difficult for us to become champions. We have to accept that, but regardless of that, in terms of the development of the club, the style of play, the players, including the youngsters from the academy, I think we're on the right track. We're not satisfied, because we can only win the Super Cup, and we're very ambitious, that's our attitude in general. But we also see it a bit as motivation to do things better next season and be ready when we finish this season. That's my mentality at the moment. I already said everything about the fans on Monday, after the game [with Farense]. I understand their disappointment and criticism, it's normal and we have to accept it, but of course there are limits. When people start throwing objects or spitting at the players... we are Benfica, we represent Benfica and we should expect the minimum of respect. In general, basic values are declining all over the world, but it's not right. Respect, truth, honesty, some basic values in life, must always be present, and also on our part as the Benfica football team. We haven't managed to win every trophy this season, but the players are doing everything they can to be good and for Benfica to be a good team. We're trying to do our best, we accept criticism, but not at this level, as we saw on Monday.

Do you feel it's still possible to rebuild the relationship with the fans?

I don't read your pieces in the media, I don't watch television, and I think it's a great advantage that I don't speak Portuguese, because I'm completely independent in these matters. What I see in my day-to-day life is that there's a lot of support for Benfica and a lot of appreciation for what we're doing. Of course, as I've said a few times, there's always criticism. That's normal. Pointing out the negative is your job, and I fully accept it. It's not a problem. It's our world, negative things are much more interesting to people than positive things. It's very clear, and when you talk about the fans, you're talking about the negative ones, the 10 people who threw things at my players in the game against Farense. There are many Benfica fans and people who love Benfica who don't like what they're doing. There are a lot more positive people who love Benfica and appreciate it. If you ask me what my relationship is with the people who throw things at my players, who spit at my players... I don't want to work in this relationship. Because it's over. I can't accept this relationship, and I never will. I try to be a good coach for this club, for my team, and I hope that people feel that I'm trying my best. This is important to me. One day, if I'm no longer the right coach for Benfica, my President will tell me. We have a good relationship, but I'm sure it's more important to him that Benfica is balanced and as successful as possible. He'll tell me if that's not the case. At the moment, in my opinion, we're all working towards a top end to the season and then we'll try to analyze and improve next season.