Coach José Mourinho stated this Tuesday, December 9, that the absences at Benfica make him “cry”, rejecting comparisons with the Italians of Nápoles, opponents in the sixth round of the Champions League league phase, scheduled for this Wednesday, at 8 pm, at Estádio da Luz.
“It’s one thing not to have Lukaku, but to have Hojlund. Not to have Kevin De Bruyne, but to have McTominay… My absences make me cry. Since we lost Lukebakio, I said that I don’t want to cry and find solutions, but, if we look at the Napoli squad, we forget who is missing there. They had to change their system and they changed to one that makes Napoli a better team”, he highlighted.
In a press conference previewing the reception to the Italians, José Mourinho assured that, even with a defeat in this match, the mathematics still leaves Benfica with faint hopes, although the victory increases the possibility.
“I don’t know if nine points are enough or not, but I think 10 would definitely be enough. Neither will tomorrow’s result. [quarta-feira] can take away my hope. We still have to play against Juventus and Real Madrid, it’s very difficult, but it’s still possible from a mathematical point of view. Anything that happens tomorrow [quarta-feira] It won’t end the way I look at this. Let’s look at the game thinking that we have to win it. By doing so, we will obviously have greater possibilities”, he said.
Despite absences due to injury and some previous complaints about the squad, the ‘red’ coach assured that he is not thinking about the January market, assuming that it does not exist, as he seeks to improve his players and formation.
“I’m not going to say who will play, but we will have 23 players, of which we have 10 who are from the youth team. Of these 10, three are joining the main team for the first time. Regardless of what happens, the market occupies zero of my thoughts. If there is a market, great, it will help, but I’m assuming it won’t. Tomorrow’s result [quarta-feira] It only matters from a sporting point of view and not from an economic point of view”, he highlighted.
Of these young players starting to gain space in the main team, the recent under-17 world champion José Neto is one of them, having been part of the preparation for the match and with Mourinho confirming that he will be one of the options.
“[Os jogadores da formação] They fundamentally need that, if they make a mistake, not to ‘hammer’ them. The pressure inherent to the debut is enough. Adding more pressure to that is the worst thing that can happen. The players have potential, but someone has to put them in there. If no one gets them involved, they will always have potential and question marks. With José Neto, that someone will be me”, pointed out José Mourinho.
Leandro Barreiro guarantees that Benfica will know how to deal with the current situation in the Champions League
Leandro Barreiro assured that Benfica will know how to deal with the situation they find themselves in in the league phase of the Champions League.
“It’s another final, just like the last few games were. There were other games in which we couldn’t win and that put us in this situation, but, as a team, we are ready and we know how to deal with this situation. We are united and that’s how we’re going to enter, to win another final”, he highlighted.
The Luxembourg international highlighted the importance of the triumph, after the victory, in the last round, at the Dutch stronghold of Ajax, ending a series of four consecutive defeats.
“We need to win the game, and then we’ll see the rest. The focus is on this game, in which we need to win”, pointed out the 25-year-old midfielder, who has been a recent supporter of José Mourinho in the Reds’ starting team, with some good performances.
However, despite being satisfied with the performances and the praise he has received from the Benfica coach, Leandro Barreiro put his feet on the ground and stressed that he has to continue working as hard as he can to help the club.
“The player is always happy to hear positive things from the manager. It helps with confidence, but the most important thing is to keep working. Just because my performances are good now doesn’t mean I can be on the couch relaxed. I have to keep working and give my all in training, to achieve the best possible”, he stressed.
The rapport between the players was also a topic of conversation at the press conference, with Leandro Barreiro noting that, with more games, knowledge improves and will allow the team to take a step forward, individually and collectively.
“By playing more games, the players get to know each other better, which helps the team. Being on the field, I always do my best to help. We talk to each other at intervals and in training to adjust, of course that helps”, he stressed.
Benfica, 30th place, with three points, welcomes the Italians from Nápoles, 20th, with seven, at 8pm on Wednesday, at the Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, in the sixth round of the Champions League league phase, refereed by the Slovenian Slavko Vincic.