“It's going to be a very competitive match”

PREVIEW

The conviction that Benfica “can play a great game” was expressed by coach Bruno Lage in his preview of the match against Bayern Munich, on Matchday 4 of the Champions League, scheduled for 8 pm on Wednesday, November 6, at the Munich Arena Stadium.

Bearing in mind that Bayern Munich have one win and two losses in this Champions League, I ask you what kind of opponents do you expect to meet tomorrow [Wednesday]?

A difficult opponent, a very competent team, but I think they're looking at us that way too. So regardless of the points Bayern have, or ours, I think it's going to be a very interesting game, a very competitive game, with both teams looking at their opponents and seeing how difficult they are.

In the absence of Bah, will you put Tomás Araújo at right-back and play Otamendi and António Silva as a central duo? Do you feel that this is, at least in theory, the most difficult game you've played since returning to Benfica, given Bayern's history and the power and name of the players they have?

At the moment, the three possibilities we have are on the table. As well as Tomás [Araújo], Issa [Kaboré] and even Leandro [Santos], because he's a kid who's been training with us. We have three possibilities, and one of them will play. Regarding the opponent, it's a fact. I think that playing Atlético de Madrid and Feyenoord are also games in which, when you look at it, you see a powerful opponent, and also one with big names, but at the moment, based on the games I've played, it really is a very competent opponent, a team recognized in Europe, and, of course, with great players and a great coach. Players and coaches I've faced before, so yes, it really is a very interesting challenge, and I think it's going to be a challenge even to understand how ready we are to play at this level. I feel the team is once again aware of the work and the game they can do, so we're convinced we can play a good game, which is the most important thing for us.

What is the weight of history? Considering that Benfica have never won here [at Bayern Munich's ground], in fact they've always lost...

The weight of the story would be if it was always the same people playing the same game. Since they're different people, I think that's the challenge. It's the challenge of being able to come here and play our game. That's the most important thing, that we're convinced of what we have to do, the game we can play against this opponent and win points. It would be very important for us at this stage.

There is one player who has been particularly prominent since Bruno Lage arrived at Benfica, and that is Álvaro Carreras. He wasn't always a starter before you arrived, and last season he was even a substitute for Morato, who was a central defender adapted to play left-back. Since you arrived, do you feel that [Álvaro] Carreras is a player who has developed with you, or did he just need to be given a chance? Bruno Lage also coached Grimaldo, and when [Álvaro] Carreras arrived, there were many comparisons, not least because of his nationality. Do you feel those comparisons make sense, both in terms of profile and quality?

You notice players' progress more when they're playing. When you look at whom the player is and what he's been developing in the game, it's easier to see how he's developing while playing. What we've done is look at all the players and put them on the pitch to try to get the most out of each one's skills. When it comes to comparisons, I think the only thing that can be compared is the fact that they're both of the same nationality, because although they play left-back, they're different players. One with some characteristics, the other with others. They really are two players of enormous quality. Grimaldo already has a career, and this one is building something very good with Benfica.

Do you feel the team is confident? Do you feel that in these types of games, more than strategy and tactics, it's the attitude of the players on the pitch that can make the difference?

Yes, I feel the team is convinced it can play a great game. I don't know if attitude is the right word, but it's the predisposition for the game. It's what we want. In our lives, when the big moments come along, what we do best, we do at the right moment and at the right time. That's what we try to do, so that's what we'll try to do tomorrow [Wednesday]. Whenever these moments arise, we're going to be at our best.