"We're going to attack the season with a lot of strength"

STATEMENTS TO BTV

A starter for Benfica's friendly match this Friday, August 2, against Fulham, the last rehearsal of the pre-season, João Mário guaranteed that the team will open its participation in the Liga Betclic with high confidence.

Downplaying the 0-1 result at the Estádio Algarve, the eagles' No. 20 highlighted the demands of Roger Schmidt's work, which, in his opinion, prepared the group for a good response in the first round of the Championship against Famalicão, scheduled for August 11 (Sunday).

"It's been a very positive pre-season. Obviously, we wanted to end today with a win, but we don't think that's the most important thing right now. We tried everything, the team reacted very well until we started to lose. It's been a demanding pre-season that has prepared us very well for what's to come, and we're very confident for the first round of the Championship," said the midfielder, speaking to BTV.

Praising the integration of the new recruits for 2024/25, João Mário assured that the squad has the necessary quality to fuel Benfica's ambition to fight for all the titles on offer.

"We have a very good squad, with great new additions who have adapted very well to our idea of the game. It's a squad with a lot of quality, and I'm sure we'll fight for every title," he said.

The player, who captained the Benfica team in the match against Fulham, also gave an account of the confidence that reigns in the Reds' dressing room ahead of the start of the official matches in 2024/25.

"I always feel good in this group, I know the coach's ideas very well. I'm very happy to be here and, above all, to be one of the captains, I feel the team is very good, very confident, and we're going to attack the season with a lot of strength," he claimed.

Asked about the imminent departure of João Neves, João Mário revealed, amid praise for his teammate, whose transfer to PSG "tied up in details", that there are quality solutions in the squad.

"He's a great kid and a great player, but there are also great players in the squad. What we can do is wish all the luck in the world to João [Neves], who has given us so much. Now we have to find solutions within the squad, which I'm sure we have," he said.

João Mário also highlighted the support of the fans during the pre-season tests, asking for this to be replicated throughout the season.

"We felt today, but especially in the two friendly games at home, the impressive strength that the fans give us. What we hope is that at every moment of the season they match up and are there for us, because we're going to need them," he finished.