“We always worked calmly. The pre-election period must have been stimulating for the candidates, with the love they have for Benfica. In terms of our work and day-to-day life, we always managed to hold our own. It didn’t have any type of negative influence. We did our job the best we could”highlighted José Mourinho.
Bosnian right-back Amar Dedic is injured and is a certain casualty for the match, with the Setúbal coach revealing that the choice will go between Tomás Araújo or Fredrik Aursnes, noting the low pressure inherent to the match on Arouca’s part.
“Arouca is at a level of calm. They already stole points at the Estádio da Luz last season and are certainly coming with that intention. I believe that we will be able to win. It is a day of Benfica fans and everyone goes to the stadium to experience Benfica at an electoral and game level, obviously many of them are frustrated with Tuesday’s result, like us. It will be a difficult game, but I believe that the team will respond and that we will win the game”reinforced José Mourinho.
Argentine Gianluca Prestianni is back in the options, after participating in the U20 World Cup and “will certainly have minutes” in this duel, with the coach aiming for January to strengthen the squad, remembering Aktürkoglu’s departure.
“I liked the Benfica squad so much that I wanted to remove a very important player. In an indirect way, I contributed to making the squad different. I did everything to have that player and ended up not having him at Fenerbahçe and Benfica. We all think we are missing something. Often, it only takes one player of a certain profile to improve the dynamics of a team. I think that, in January, Benfica will certainly have one or two players who can help the team”he emphasized.
Benfica, third, with 18 points, will host Arouca, 11th, with nine, starting at 8:30 pm on Saturday, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, in a match on the ninth round of the I Football League, which will be refereed by Hélder Carvalho, from the Santarém association.