"Very pleased with the collective and individual display"

POST-MATCH

Benfica's emphatic win over Tirsense by 0-5 in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, left Bruno Lage “completely fulfilled by the game the team played” at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos on Wednesday, April 9.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY ACADEMY PLAYERS

"[The right chip for a safe display?] Yes, as we said yesterday [Tuesday, April 8], we took the game very seriously, everyone. We went into the game very strong, we started with six home-grown players, we finished the game with three more. It was always a game that we controlled from start to finish, and the way to respect Tirsense, given their record in the Portuguese Cup, was to respect them and always take the game very seriously. That's why I'm very pleased with the team's display and also with the individual performances, because we lived off our performance, the players matched it, those who started and those who came on, and that's what makes me happy. We work hard every day, and many of these young players have worked hard and well without getting any minutes. Today they were given the chance, they contributed to a good display, to a good win, and confirmed all the talent and performance they have. Now it's back home, everyone continuing to work in the same way, with the focus on the next game."

RESPECTING TIRSENSE

"[Does the result influence the approach to the second leg?]  It's a premature question. For you, [the 2nd leg] is the next game. We still have two games to go, I think. It's up to us to realize that it's a very good result, we're playing at home, and no matter who we play, we have to respect Tirsense, just as we did here."

VERY PLEASED WITH EVERYONE

"[Regarding turnover, and Prestianni, have you taken note of anything for what's to come?] I've taken note of him [Prestianni], I've taken note of [João] Rego, who scored a great goal, Andreas [Schjelderup], who also scored a great goal, Tino [Florentino], who gave an exemplary display, António [Silva], who led the team very well, in short, I've taken note of everyone, because now we're on our way back, I'm going to have dinner and watch the game, so that's always our way of working, of being as demanding as possible in what we have to do. Look, take the example, I also took note, and like you... I know it was news, of realizing that there were people who stayed in Seixal and were already working to prepare for the next game. So this is the way we work, this is the way I work and the way I see things. The players, regardless of their age, their status or what they've already won, have to respond at all times. And today, I'm very pleased with those players who were here, I haven't mentioned one yet, but he also came with us, which is [João] Veloso, he was left out of the squad, the kid has also been training very well with us, he wasn't able to make the squad today, but we've also brought in another kid, who has been working very hard and well with us."

COLLECTIVE ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE

"[What do you expect from Tiago Gouveia until the end of the season?] Look, I hope that's what he's just done. It really is a good comeback. His crossing ability is very good. He's a winger, but he can also play on both sides, he's played as a right-winger and a left-winger before. From the moment he started training with us, we've put him in that position, he's done it before, he's got a good crossing ability. He has a very good entry, a good cross, and I'll take advantage of your question to touch on the two frontmen. First, it was a great game from Belotti, even if he didn't score, he was always in position to play, to support, to make the moves, both deep and on short diagonals, and then a very good start from Arthur [Cabral]. I'm very happy with the goal he scored, he's been a tireless professional. Today, it was very difficult not to put him in the starting eleven, and he responded by coming on, running, working for the team, and scoring a goal and celebrating with his teammates who were on the bench. So that's what I want from everyone, everyone committed, and realizing that the team is above everyone else."